Archive | Barrie Speedway

Burl’s Creek Event Grounds has purchased the Barrie Speedway and will close the track permanently.

A joint press release from the campground and Apex Motorsports, which previously owned the speedway, confirmed the sale and stated the track is now closed permanently after 45 years of operation. The land will become “supportive space” for future events at the campground.

Contrans Group Inc. CEO Stan Dunford purchased Burl’s Creek campground last October. Dunford is also a majority shareholder of Republic Live, the company that produces the annual Boots and Hearts country music festival. Boots and Hearts will be held at Burl’s Creek for the first time in August 2015.

“After negotiations with our new neighbors we believe that there is no way for the two entities to work together side by side,” said Angela Clarke Apex Motorsports co-owner, which previously owned the speedway, via email last week.

“The Barrie Speedway has a storied history and many will be sad to see it go,” said Apex Motorsports owner Diane Cunningham.

“The decision came from an assured place however; Burl’s Creek is headed in an exciting new direction.”

Exciting isn’t exactly the word most former racers are using to describe the sale.

“It’s sad,” said Mike Getliffe, a Barrie Speedway racer of eight seasons. “We all hoped for the best, but knowing the situation and concert dates being constantly added, it was just a matter of time.”

The tight, 1/3-mile paved oval on the outskirts of Oro Station opened in 1965 to host local stock car racing. It underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2004 when it was reconfigured to its current tri-oval design.

The sale of the speedway does come with some surprise. Apex management held rules meetings for weekly racing divisions at the track and began accepting driver registration for the 2015 season last November. It had also confirmed several dates with major touring series.

There was no dialogue regarding a potential sale of the track between Apex and various touring series, said Dave Gainforth, the president of Ontario-based OSCAAR Racing.

“I had several conversations with Diane Cunningham when putting the schedule together, and no indication was given that the track might be sold,” said Gainforth.

“From what I understand, everything has transpired in the last couple of days. I have not spoken to Diane since hearing the news.”

All three of OSCAAR’s divisions were scheduled to race at Barrie on June 20.

Barrie is listed as a host track for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCTS) on September 12, according to NASCAR’s schedule release in December. With Barrie closed, the NCTS schedule sits at just 10 races. It’s unclear how the schedule will be changed or if the race will be replaced. NASCAR officials have not responded to interview requests.

“It is never good to see a track close,” said Gainforth. “In the past three years, three tracks have closed and it has definitely changed the outlook of racing in Southern Ontario.”

Kawartha Speedway closed its doors to weekly racing following the 2012 season. Canadian Tire Motorsports Park demolished its half-mile oval in the summer of 2013.

OSCAAR has no plans to replace the Barrie date, Gainforth said.

Local racers disappointed

Several local drivers were disappointed to hear the racetrack was sold and will close for good.

Current OSCAAR driver Tyler Hawn cut his teeth racing at Barrie. He made the jump to the provincial touring series in 2011. Hawn lives just two kilometres from the speedway in Oro Station.

“It sucks, there’s a lot of history there. We won a big late model 75-lapper there in the early 2000s,” said Hawn, whose father Don Hawn won three track championships at the speedway.

Andre Pepin competed in Barrie’s Limited Late Model division last summer. He finished sixth in weekly points at the track in 2014.

The track’s friendly enivronment and family atmosphere will be missed, said Pepin.

“It wasn’t terribly hustle and bustle. People just seemed to get along a little better than at other tracks,” said Pepin.

“The people at Barrie are one of a kind and felt like a family,” echoed Getliffe.

Pepin, a Midland native, said his first late model win will be his greatest memory of the track.

“Growing up watching races there and being able to win at that track was huge,” said Pepin. “It’s going to be different not having that track around.”

The speedway’s closure will leave several drives without a home track. The nearest track is Innisfil’s Sunset Speedway.

“Sunset is a logical choice,” said Pepin, but he would not confirm plans to race there in 2015.

Peterborough Speedway and Full Throttle Motor Speedway, located near Durham, Ont., are each also approximately 130 km from Barrie Speedway.

Correction:The original version of the story reported that Republic Live had purchased the Barrie Speedway. In fact, Burl’s Creek Campground has purchased the speedway. Contrans Group Inc. CEO Stan Dunford owns Burl’s Creek Event Grounds. Dunford is also a majority shareholder of Republic Live.

Barrie Speedway has been sold to Republic Live, the group that produces the Boots and Hearts country music festival.

“After negotiations with our new neighbors we believe that there is no way for the two entities to work together side by side,” said Angela Clarke, a representative of Apex Motorsports, which owned the speedway, via email Thursday.

“They have therefore bought the speedway,” she added.

Clarke deferred any further questions to a joint press release between the two groups, which is expected in the coming days. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

The Barrie Advance reported the speedway had been sold in October when Republic Live purchased neighbouring Burl’s Creek Campground. Apex Motorsports vigorously denied the sale and the paper later posted a correction.

“It’s sad,” said Mike Getliffe, a Barrie Speedway racer of eight seasons. “We all hoped for the best, but knowing the situation and concert dates being constantly added, it was just a matter of time.”

The tight, 1/3-mile paved oval on the outskirts of Oro Station opened in 1965 to host local stock car racing. It underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2004 when it was reconfigured to its current tri-oval design.

The sale of the racetrack likely means the speedway has heard engines roar for the final time. Its closure would leave Ontario with just eight asphalt stock car racing ovals in operation.

Touring Series Caught Off-Guard

The sale of the speedway does come with some surprise. Apex management held rules meetings for weekly racing divisions at the track and began accepting driver registration for the 2015 season last November. It had also confirmed several dates with major touring series.

There was no dialogue regarding a potential sale of the track between Apex and various touring series, said Dave Gainforth, the president of the Ontario-based OSCAAR Racing series.

“I had several conversations with (track promoter) Diane Cunningham when putting the schedule together, and no indication was given that the track might be sold,” said Gainforth.

“From what I understand, everything has transpired in the last couple of days. I have not spoken to Diane since hearing the news.”

All three divisions of Ontario-based OSCAAR Racing were scheduled to race at Barrie on June 20.

Barrie is listed as a host track for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCTS) on September 12, according to NASCAR’s schedule release in December. It’s unclear how or if NCTS will adjust its schedule. NASCAR officials did not immediately respond to interview requests.

“It is never good to see a track close,” said Gainforth. “In the past three years, three tracks have closed and it has definitely changed the outlook of racing in Southern Ontario.”

Kawartha Speedway closed its doors to weekly racing following the 2012 season. Canadian Tire Motorsports Park demolished its half-mile oval in the summer of 2013.

OSCAAR has no plans to replace the Barrie date, Gainforth said.

Local racers disappointed

Several local drivers were disappointed to hear the racetrack was sold and likely would close.

Current OSCAAR driver Tyler Hawn cut his teeth racing at Barrie. He made the jump to the provincial touring series in 2011. Hawn lives just two kilometres from the speedway in Oro Station.

“It sucks, there’s a lot of history there. We won a big late model 75-lapper there in the early 2000s,” said Hawn, whose father Don Hawn won three track championships at the speedway.

Andre Pepin competed in Barrie’s Limited Late Model division last summer. He finished sixth in weekly points at the track in 2014.

The track’s friendly enivronment and family atmosphere will be missed, said Pepin.

“It wasn’t terribly hustle and bustle. People just seemed to get along a little better than at other tracks,” said Pepin.

“The people at Barrie are one of a kind and felt like a family,” echoed Getliffe.

Pepin, a Midland native, said his first late model win will be his greatest memory of the track.

“Growing up watching races there and being able to win at that track was huge,” said Pepin. “It’s going to be different not having that track around.”

The speedway’s closure will leave several drives without a home track. The nearest track is Innisfil’s Sunset Speedway.

“Sunset is a logical choice,” said Pepin, but he would not confirm plans to race there in 2015.

Peterborough Speedway and Full Throttle Motor Speedway, located near Durham, Ont., are each also approximately 130 km from Barrie Speedway.

With just over a month remaining in the 2014 race season Barrie Speedway drivers were anxious to put on another stellar show for the crowd on hand on August 9 as part of the Dock 104.1 FM Night. The evenings big winners were #31 Rick Walt of Hawkestone and #91 Andre Pepin of Midland, as each driver captured a 30 lap feature win in the track’s featured Wahta Springs Late Model division, further cementing their stature within the top 5 in the season long point standings. Walt, who would capture the win in the initial 30 lap race had to work diligently to find the front, finally taking the lead with 5 laps remaining after a game fight from ironically enough the 91 of Pepin, who had a night to remember of his own in recording the previously mentioned win along with a strong runner up showing. With four points nights remaining, defending track champ #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station continues to hold a 18 point advantage over second place #12 Dwight Brown of Beeton, while Walt sits third just 30 behind, with the feature win vaulting Pepin to fourth just 44 points in back of the division lead, and 2 slender markers in front of 2010 track champ #69 Al “Red Rocket” Inglis who completes the top 5.

In the first 30 lap feature it was Pepin who broke out to a two car length lead at the front of the pack, after gaining the advantage on pole sitter #49 “Flyin” Frank Davey from the drop of the green. On lap 5, it was Walt who was beginning to make noise near the front of the field after starting in sixth position on the grid, working to the inside of Davey for 2nd and completing a pass on the exit of turn two. Nearing the ten lap mark, it was Shepherd who began to challenge Davey for position, diving down to the inside of his fellow competitor out of turn two as the two drivers waged a solid door handle to door handle battle, with neither driver gaining a clear cut advantage. By lap 14, Walt had now found himself on the back bumper of race leader Pepin, having a brief look to the inside in an effort to find the point, with Pepin holding firm and able to momentarily maintain the race lead. A little further in back of the battle for the race lead, the 10 of Shepherd would finally make his way past Davey for 3rd, quickly leading the way for the 12 of Brown to follow into fourth in the running order.

It was on lap 22 the race suddenly hit a fevered pitch, as Walt would once again carve down inside Pepin for the race lead, with the talented duo waging a tough yet clean 3 lap wheel to wheel dice for the race lead, as Walt would put his #31 out front with a surge of power while racing into turn one. Over the duration, the best battle on track was the duel for 5th, as Davey and the 69 of Inglis had a fierce dice for that position, as Inglis has a couple looks to Davey’s inside while racing down the backstretch, but was unable to make a potential pass stick. It was clear that once out front the race was division rookie Walt’s race to lose, and the driver wouldn’t disappoint, hitting all his marks along the way in capturing his division leading 9th feature win of the season by a slender 2 car lengths over Pepin at the finish. Shepherd, would get his night started under solid footing with a 3rd place effort, while Brown and Davey would round out the top five.

In the 30 lap finale to the evening, it was the 49 of Davey who took the initial lead from the outside pole position after powering past #44 Rob Bromley from the drop of the green. Quickly following the Davey progression on the outside line was the duo of Pepin and Brown, as they too would work past the 44 of Bromley to check into 2nd and 3rd respectively. On lap 5, the first caution of the evening in the division would appear as the 31 of Walt would make slight contact with the 10 of Shepherd while attempting an inside pass between turns 3&4. The result would see Shepherd back his car into the outside retaining wall on the exit of turn 4, as both drivers were summoned arrears for the restart deemed involved cars. On the restart, Davey was again quick to find the point, with a hard charge from Pepin on the outside momentarily coming to a halt as the driver had to fend off a strong challenge to the inside from the 12 of Brown who was attempting to wrestle away runner up positioning. The race’s 2nd and final caution would fly on lap 12, once again for an incident involving Shepherd and Walt, as Shepherd got to the inside of his fellow competitor while racing out of turn two, with contact made between the pair on entry of turn 3 causing Walt to veer off towards the outside retaining wall as his sleek looking #31 Impala SS would see it’s evening come to an abrupt end with front end damage.

On the ensuing restart, it was Davey and Pepin who waged an impressive dice for the race lead, as Pepin finally powered to the point after a solid two laps racing door to door with the 49 of Davey. Quick to follow the Pepin move was division rookie #00 Darryl St. Onge of Barrie, as the driver landed himself in second after also working past Davey while racing along the outer groove. On lap 18, it was the 12 of Brown who was beginning to make his presence felt, driving up inside Davey in turn two to take over 3rd in the running order, with the 10 of Shepherd attempting to follow that move to take over 4th, as Davey once again remained game and was able to momentarily fend off the Shepherd charge. Inside of two laps remaining, Shepherd would finally work past Davey for position, while at the front of the field St. Onge was closing the gap between himself and race leader Pepin with each passing lap. The laps would soon expire for the hard charging St. Onge however, as Pepin would march on to record his fourth feature win of the season by a slender margin over St. Onge at the checkered. Brown, would cap off a solid point night with a 3rd place showing, while Shepherd and Davey would complete the fast five.

The Triple Sick Skin Tattoo Thunder Car division would see a first time feature winner as #55 Shawn Goggins of Orillia would power his Pontiac Grand Prix to victory lane in the 30 lap main, in what was a landmark victory for the driver in his 5th season of competition in the division. The race would begin with #3 Jim Morrison would capturing the early lead, as outside pole sitter #7 Joel Hamilton would drift high in turn two, losing several positions along the way. Unfortunately, the Hamilton slide would halt the early momentum of point leader #00 Luke Gignac, as the popular veteran also would be forced to slow on track and got filed further back in the running order. On lap 4, it was #37 Robbie Sikes who took over top spot, after passing #11 Adam Misener along the inside of turn three, after Misener himself had taken the lead away from Morrison on lap three. Sikes, would break out to a marginal advantage at the front of the pack, with the 55 of Goggins now landing in 2nd after completing a inside pass of Misener while racing out of turn two. After a lap seven caution for a Morrison spin between turns 3&4, it was Sikes and Goggins who raced multiple laps side by side for the race lead, with Misener tucked in the pocket in third and #10 Jordan “Lil Gambler” Latimer now in fourth after making a hard charge through the pack along the outside line.

Goggins, would finally take over control of the point from Sikes after a hard fought battle and began completing laps of the one third mile tri oval just a shade over the 16 second mark, eventually opening up a two length lead over his fellow competitor Sikes who remained game in 2nd, while Misener, Latimer, and Gignac raced covered by a blanket in the duel for third. On lap 21, Latimer would finally find the necessary power under hood to relieve Misener of third along the outside line, quickly leading the way for the front running Gignac to follow and claim fourth in the running order. Over the duration, Goggins would remain strong on the front end, further widening his lead over Sikes as a half straightaway now separated the drivers inside of five laps remaining. Goggins, would cruise home to record his first career feature win, with Sikes also recording a season best with a 2nd place effort, as Latimer, Gignac, and Misener would comprise the remainder of the top 5.

In St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock action, it was #10 Doug Butler of New Lowell who drive to victory lane in the 25 lap main. Butler, the current point leader in the division would record his fourth “hat trick” of the season in recording the win, further widening his point lead to now 47 over defending track champ #77 Mike Gettliffe of Orillia. The race would get started with #8 Paul Bogensberger Jr. taking the early lead from pole position, as the duo of #31 Gil Brooks and #41 Connor James would also slip under outside pole sitter #6 Josh Inglis to land in 2nd and 3rd respectively in the early stages. Promising upstart James would be quick to dispose of Brooks for 2nd, soon landing on the back bumper of Bogensberger Jr and taking over the race lead with an inside move between turns 1&2. By lap five, James had now broken away by a half straightaway at the front of the pack, with #09 Dean Curry making his way to 2nd after starting ninth in the 19 car field, as Bogensberger Jr, held third, with the duo of Gettliffe and Butler now racing inside the top 5 after both drivers would pass #06 Ryan Hardy to the inside of turn two. The race’s first caution would appear on lap eight when the 31 of Brooks would spin in turn 2, thus wiping out the huge lead James had built up at the front of the pack.

On the restart, the young James and veteran Curry would battle for one solid lap wheel to wheel, with Curry clearing his counterpart along the outside line while racing into turn one on lap 10. James, would quickly fall back into the clutches of Butler in the dice for 2nd, with the latter completing an inside move in turn three to take over that position. Also putting on a charge towards the point was the 77 of Gettliffe, as he too would work past James for third, while a little further ahead Butler would take over the race lead with an inside move on Curry entering turn 3 on lap eleven. On lap 14, James would see his strong run at the front of the pack come to an sudden end when #57 Ryan Toon would attempt an inside move on his fellow competitor while racing for 4th around a lapped car in turn one. Toon, would make contact with James left rear, sending the talented wheelman crossways, as #24 Rick Butler was left with nowhere to go but pile hard into the back of James’ Honda Civic, as Toon and Butler were summoned to the rear for the restart as involved cars, with James being unable to continue due to the rear end damage incurred. This turn of events set the stage for a Butler/Curry battle from the front row for the restart, as Gettliffe and #400 Justin Holmes now aligned row two, as Butler would move out to a single car length lead over Curry, with Holmes valiantly trying to work the outside of Gettliffe for third, while #1 Charlie Smith and Hardy were locked in a door to door battle for 5th a little further in behind. As has been the case much of the season, the #10 Nissan of Butler has proved tough if not impossible to pass, and that was the scenario that would play out here as Butler would close out the race with laps in the 16.5 second range, notching the win by three car lengths over division veteran Curry at the stripe. Gettliffe, would record his 4th podium in succession in finishing third, while Holmes and Smith would round out the top five.

PIT NOTES ———————- As has been the case much of the season the new faces continue to stroll through the pit gates each week as #92 Connor Lethbridge would make his season debut in the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock ranks. Lethbridge, the son of former area Late Model standout and Cascar Sportsman Series competitor Ron, would turn in twin 7th place heat race results to go with a 17th place feature feature finish while keeping a clean car under him the entire night, in what was an impressive debut for the Barrie youngster. Be sure to join us this coming Saturday August 9th as all three divisions are back in action as well as the one and only stop on the 2014 calendar for the AMS OIL Hurricane Midgets. Defending Barrie race winner and series champion #83 Jamie Bound leads a strong contingent of Hurricanes to the High Line, in a field that will also include former Barrie Speedway track announcer #53 Dave Bradley, who is coming off a strong 4th place result last Saturday at Peterborough Speedway. In the last race for the Hurricanes it was current second place point man #84 Richard Woodland who went to victory lane last Sunday at Kawartha Speedway, as #62 Rob McCall of Brechin finished 2nd, with Mike Bradley finishing up in third in the Bradley Brothers machine. With the Hurricanes expected to bring a approximate 30 car field to the tight confines of the High Line, this should prove to be another can’t miss event. Pit gates open at 1pm, with spectator gates commencing for business at 5pm and green flag slated to drop at 6:30 pm sharp!!!

After a two week hiatus, racing would return to Barrie Speedway on August 2 for Simcoe County Children’s Aid Night, as the return of on track action brought about a return to victory lane for longtime Wahta Springs Late Model division veteran #69 Al “Red Rocket” Inglis of Orillia. Inglis, would capture his first 30 lap feature win in nearly two calendar years, after pulling alongside point leader #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station with 8 laps remaining in the initial feature, just edging Shepherd out by a slender margin at the finish, in what was an epic display of tough and clean short track racing. In the second 30 lap feature, it was #31 Rick Walt of Hawkestone who captured his division leading 8th feature win of the season, holding onto a half straightaway lead over Shepherd, as both features would be run caution free, in with what was a night with numerous hotly contested on track duels. Heading into the final 10 features of the season, defending track champ Shepherd holds a 18 point advantage over #12 Dwight Brown of Beeton, while Walt sits third just 28 in back of the leader, as Inglis on the strength of his win and a hard fought 3rd place effort, faults to 4th in the tight standings just 41 points behind the division lead.

In the first 30 lap affair it was #44 Rob Bromley who powered to the lead early, after working around pole sitter #5 Mike “The Hulkamaniac” Langley from the drop of the green. Quick to follow the Bromley progression along the outside line was the duo of #24 Leonard “The Bandit” Johnston and Shepherd, with Inglis also now in the mix after charging from 8th place on the grid to land in fourth just a handful of laps in. Bromley, would set a steady pace with laps in the 15.2 second range, keeping Johnston at bay in second, while the duo of Inglis and Shepherd were looking for racing room in behind. It was on lap ten the first lead change would occur, as Johnston would work around the outside of Bromley entering turn one, eventually leading the way for both Shepherd and Inglis to follow one lap later ,thus dropping Bromley back to fourth in the running order. On lap 14, it was Shepherd who took over the race lead, with a clean inside move on Johnston while racing out of turn two, as Inglis would follow that pass two laps later when Johnston would get slightly loose out of the same corner.

With the race now in the it’s final half, perhaps the best battle on track was the race for 5th, as Brown and #00 Darryl St. Onge waged an impressive dice for that spot, as the duo also now raced right on the back bumper of Bromley for fourth. Brown, would eventually slip past Bromley on the inside line, as St. Onge was ever alert in following that progression to enter the top 5. At the front of the field, the race was beginning to hit a fevered pitch, as Inglis would pull along the top side of leader Shepherd entering turn one looking to wrestle away the race lead, with Shepherd battling back hard along the low side out of turn two on lap 25, as the fans sat on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the thrilling finish to come. Over the final five laps, Inglis and Shepherd would battle wheel to wheel with neither appearing to gain a clear cut advantage, while Johnston sat just a couple car lengths back in third, perhaps anticipating how the race would shake out before him. With just two laps to go the wily Inglis would set sail on the outer groove, as his car seemed to stick like glue on the top side, with Shepherd again battling back hard along the inside, and Johnston sitting patiently in the pocket. Inglis and Shepherd would come to the line separated be mere inches, with 2010 track champion Inglis taking home one of the most memorable and emotional wins of his stellar career by a half car length over a very game Shepherd at the checkered. Johnston, would get his night off on solid footing with a workmanlike 3rd place effort, while St. Onge and Brown would round out the top five.

In the 30 lap finale to the evening, it was again Bromley who snatched the point from the onset, this time with the duo of #49 “Flyin” Frank Davey and Walt following through along the outside of the 5 of Langley to land in 2nd and 3rd respectively. On lap 3, Walt would take over runner up positioning from Davey with an inside move entering turn 3, quickly setting his sights on leader Bromley who was free and clear by 2 car lengths at the front of the pack. Walt, would quickly reel in Bromley by lap six, executing a clean inside pass between turns 1&2. A short while later, Walt, would suddenly build up a half straightaway lead at the front of the field while clicking laps off in the 14.8 second range, with Shepherd now having fought his way to 2nd with an inside move on Bromley on exit of turn 4. Once again the man on the move nearing the 10 lap mark was the 69 of Inglis, as he too would slip past the 44 of Bromley to take over third in the running order. On lap 11, a familiar sight would occur, as the 12 of Brown and 00 of St. Onge were racing fast and furious for 5th, with Brown momentarily taking the spot with an inside pass in turn two.

Nearing the midway point, it was again Brown who was beginning to make noise, relieving Bromley of fourth along the outside line in turn one, as St. Onge would once again follow that move to enter the top 5. Over the duration, Walt would appear to ease back on the throttle ever so slightly, perhaps saving his equipment for any potential late race dash to the finish, while Inglis was beginning to stalk Shepherd for 2nd a little further in behind. On lap 24, the action was again beginning to heat up between Brown and St. Onge for 4th, with the latter completing an impressive inside pass of Brown between turns 3&4 to assume control of that position. It was clear once out front nobody was catching the staunch #31 Chevy of Walt however, as the talented driver would parade to the win by a half straightway over his nearest competition at the finish. Shepherd, cap off a solid point night with his 2nd runner up finish of the evening, while Inglis, St. Onge, and Brown would comprise the remainder of the fast five.

In St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock action, it was #68 Brandon Crumbie of Beeton who captured his 2nd feature victory of the season, as the talented driver is on a incredible run over the last few weeks, with a runner up finish having sandwiched his feature race wins. The race would begin with #64 “California” Dave Crumbie taking the lead from the outside pole position, after gaining the advantage on #31 Gil Brooks from the drop of the green. Also following through along the high side of the track was #24 Rick Butler, as he would dispose of Brooks for 2nd, with #09 Dean Curry quickly advancing to third with a daring three wide move under Brooks entering turn 3. On lap six, the younger Crumbie was beginning to make his presence felt, challenging Curry to the outside of turn two to eventually land in third, with current point leader #10 Doug Butler following that pass to take over 4th place positioning. Just one lap later, Crumbie would continue his charge towards the point, working around Rick Butler for 2nd, when the race’s first caution would fly on lap 8, as #6 Josh Inglis spun out of turn four while approaching the flagstand.

This turn of events would set the stage for the the battle of the Crumbie’s for the restart, with father Dave manning the preferred pole position, and son Brandon having to take to the outer groove. When the race went green, Brandon Crumbie would take over the lead after a hard fought 2 lap wheel to wheel dice with his father, clearing his counterpart entering turn one on lap 10. The father/son duels would now end there however, as Rick and Doug Butler would make contact while racing for 3rd midway down the backstretch, causing both drivers to lose positioning along the way. Crumbie, was beginning to set a torrid pace at the front of the field, completing circuits in the 16.9 second range, while pulling out to a near half straightaway lead over father Dave, with defending track champ #77 Mike Gettliffe and Curry now locked in a side by side battle for 3rd, in a dice eventually won by Gettliffe, as Curry would encounter a flat right front tire bringing about the caution on lap 18. On the ensuing restart, Brandon Crumbie would again break away from his father by a single car length, with the elder Crumbie now receiving pressure for 2nd from the 77 of Gettliffe, as the latter would complete an inside pass to advance further in the running order, with the trio of #3 Charlie Smith, #57 Ryan Toon, and #400 Justin Holmes quick to file through, as Dave Crumbie now found himself trapped to the high side, eventually being able to find the inner groove to land in just outside the top 5 when all was said and done. On the last lap, the third place car of Smith would attempt a late race low side pass on Gettliffe for 2nd the exit of turn four, as the two drivers set themselves for a drag race to the finish. With this turn of events developing in behind him, it was clear this race would belong to Brandon Crumbie, as the former Open Wheel Modified driver would capture the win by 3 car lengths at the checkered. Gettliffe, would just nip Smith at the line in the race for 2nd, as impressive youngsters Toon and Holmes would comprise the remainder of the top 5.

Six different heat race winners would come in the form of Gettliffe, Toon, Holmes, Rick Butler, Curry, and #88 Jeremy McLean.

In the Triple Sick Skin Tattoo Thunder Car division the feature win would go to #64 Ryan Semple of Loretto, who would hold off current point leader #00 Luke Gignac over a series of mid race restarts in a caution filled affair. Unfortunately Semple would see a damper put on his first career Barrie feature win, as the driver would fail the post race technical inspection for a ball joint infraction. #22 Jason Elliott would have a solid 3rd place effort in the 30 lap main, as #21 Desi Walt, and #55 Shawn Goggins would complete the top 5.

Earlier heat wins went to Semple, Walt, #10 Jordan “Lil Gambler” Latimer, and #37 Robbie Sikes. The wins were particularily rewarding for both the 21 of Walt 37 of Sikes, after a hard crash out of turn two in the previous event two week ago, left both drivers with badly damaged racecars.

PIT NOTES —————- As has been the case much of the season, new drivers continue to stroll through the pit gates each week as the season wears on, with #55 Bruce Rankin and #66 Jared Ranson, both of Mississauga making their first career Barrie starts in the Wahta Springs Late Models. Rankin, would turn in twin 10th place feature race results, keeping a clean car under him the entire evening, while Ranson would also impress in his Barrie debut, amassing 11th and 12th place results, only falling a lap down in the late stages of the second 30 lap feature. 2012 Barre Pure Stock champ #1 Charlie Smith would sport a renumbered #3 Neon as a substitute driver for Randi Seguin, who encountered mechanical failure pre race. Smith, would turn tidy results on the evening, coming in 3rd in both heat races, as well as a strong third place effort in the 25 lap main. Be sure to join us this coming Saturday August 9th as all three divisions are back in action, and with the 2014 season nearing it’s completion expect the action to be as highly intense and competitive as ever!! Pit gates open at 2pm, with spectator gates open for business at 5pm, and green flag slated to drop at 6:35 pm sharp!!!

Despite a bleak forecast predicted for much of Central Ontario on July 19 the racing would continue at Barrie Speedway, and after two separate rain delays and lengthy red flag condition incurred in the first Thunder Car heat, the entire show would get completed after some hard work by staff members and drivers alike. The benefactors of the proceedings in the track’s featured Wahta Springs Late Model division were #91 Andre Pepin of Midland and #12 Dwight Brown of Beeton, as each driver went to victory lane in a 30 lap feature race. With the win, Pepin would jump forward one position in the season long point standings to land in 4th place, while Brown would close the gap from 17 to 12 points between himself and the current point leader #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station. With just seven point nights remaining, Shepherd continues to hold the previously mentioned 12 point lead over Brown, with the division leader in feature wins #31 Rick Walt of Hawkestone sitting just 27 markers out of the lead. With the standings as close as they have been in recent memory, expect the action to be highly intense and competitive between these three drivers as the season progresses forward into the month’s of August and September, as the track looks to crown its 2014 champion.

In the first 30 lap feature, it was #49 “Flyin” Frank Davey who checked into the early lead from the outside pole position after gaining the advantage of #5 Mike “The Hulkamaniac” Langley from the drop of the green. Langley, would soon find challenge to his outside from #24 Leonard “The Bandit” Johnston in the battle for 2nd, with Johnston wrestling away the position with a high side move entering turn three on lap 3. An early caution would fly one lap later when Langley would spin in turn 2, thus setting the stage for a Davey/Johnston duel from the front row on the restart. When the race went green again, Davey and Johnston would battle for multiple laps side by side, as the 91 of Pepin sat comfortably in the pocket in third, with Brown and Shepherd running in 4th & 5th respectively. Approaching the 10 lap mark, the man on the move was #41 Taylor Holdaway, as the talented pilot would charge from his 11th place starting position to land in 6th, accomplishing most of his passing while taking to the outer groove of the racetrack. Holdaway, would quickly pass the 5th place car of Shepherd along the outside, quickly setting his sights on Brown in the race for fourth. On lap 12, Johnston would finally clear Davey along the outside to assume control of the race lead, as the 91 of Pepin would also work his way past Davey two laps later with an inside move in turn three.

Nearing the 20 lap mark it was Brown’s turn to challenge Davey for position, as the former multi time Mosport Open Wheel Modified champ would advance to third with a clean low move on Davey while racing into turn 1. Just a little further in back of the Brown/Davey dice, the action was again heating up in the race for 5th, as Shepherd would complete an inside pass of Holdaway, with perhaps the many prior laps spent running the top side beginning to take its toll on Holdaway’s tires. Shepherd, was soon quick to follow the Brown progression along the inside line to relieve Davey of 4th, once again setting his sights on Brown just ahead of him. On lap 22, Shepherd would dive down to Brown’s inside between turns 3&4, with contact made between the pair sending Brown for a spin, as the rear end of his #12 Chevy would land on the hood of Shepherd after the tangle up, as both drivers took their place at the rear of the field for the restart. With Johnston and Pepin now aligning the front row, it was #69 Al “Red Rocket” Inglis and the 49 of Davey who checked in to form row number two, as Pepin would power into the race lead at the front of the field, with Johnston finding the inside line in 2nd, as Inglis would capture third, leaving Davey to fend off the challenge of the 31 of Walt for 4th, as the latter would capture that spot with an outside pass on the exit of turn two. On the last lap, Walt would dive down inside the 69 of Inglis while racing into turn three, as the two drivers set themselves to race wheel to wheel to the finish. It was clear once out front this race would belong to the 91 of Pepin however, as the driver would edge Johnston by two car lengths at the checkered. Inglis, would just nip Walt at the line in the race for the final podium position, with the 41 of Holdaway rounding out the top five.

In the 30 lap finale to the evening, it was #44 Rob Bromley who took the lead from the pole position, as the trio of Davey, Brown, and Inglis would all file through past outside pole sitter Langley who found himself trapped to the high side throughout the initial stages. On lap 7, the car to watch was the 10 of Shepherd, as the defending track champ would advance to 8th place after starting shotgun in the 12 car field, executing an outside pass of Pepin to assume control of that position. Shepherd, would soon land on the back bumper of Holdaway in the duel for 7th, with Shepherd completing an inside pass of his fellow competitor while racing out of turn two. On lap 12. it was the 12 of Brown who was beginning to make his presence felt near the front of the pack, passing Davey for 2nd with an impressive low move entering turn three, while at the same point in the race Walt would pass Inglis a little further in back to take over 4th in the running order. Right at the midway point, the hard charging 12 of Brown would take over the race lead, working to Bromley’s inside while entering turn one to assume control of the point.

The race’s first caution would fly on lap 16, when the 00 of Darryl St. Onge went around on the exit of turn 4. After another quick caution for a Pepin spin nearing the flagstand, Brown would power out front once again, opening a 2 car length lead over the 44 of Bromley, who soon came under fire from Davey in the race for 2nd, as the latter would take over that position. The Davey pass would quickly lead the way for the duo of Inglis and Shepherd to follow through under Bromley, dropping the pole sitter back to the 5th place position. On lap 21, Inglis would take over runner up positioning after passing Davey along the inside line, as Shepherd once again followed that move to assume control of third in the running order. Shepherd, would work his way by Inglis one lap later with a clean inside move as the duo raced into turn three. With the hotly contested battles going on in his rear view mirror, leader Brown was beginning to widen the gap on his competition with each passing lap, all the while completing laps in the 15.3 second range, now holding a near half straightaway advantage at the front of the field. Brown, would easily cruise on to record his 3rd feature win of the season, as Shepherd, Inglis, Walt, and Davey would comprise the remainder of the fast five.

In Triple Sick Skin Tattoo Thunder Car action, it was the current point leader #00 Luke Gignac who recorded the win in the 30 lap main. The win for Gignac was his 7th feature victory of the season, completing an amazing couple months for the longtime division veteran, who now looks to have a virtual lock on the 2014 track championship. The race would begin with #55 Shawn Goggins taking control of the point from the outside pole position, after pole sitter #7 Joel Hamilton would get crossways while approaching the flagstand on the opening lap. By lap 3, Gignac would work his way into the race lead from his 4th place starting position, passing Goggins along the inside line on the exit of turn two, as Goggins managed to hold the runner up position, with #64 Ryan Semple, #10 Jordan “Lil Gambler” Latimer, and #11 Adam Misener rounding out the top 5 in the early stages. Gignac, would open up a near half straightway lead at the front of the pack while completing laps of the one third mile tri oval configuration just a shade over the 16 second mark, as Semple would take second from Goggins after a hard fought battle, with a clean low pass on exit of turn two. The 10 of Latimer would follow that move one lap later to assume control of third place. On lap 15, it was Misener who was beginning to put on a charge towards the front of the pack, relieving Goggins of 4th with an inside move entering turn three.

The race’s first caution would fly on lap 17, when Goggins and visiting driver #07 Dan Archibald would collide while racing for 5th, with contact made between the pair midway down the backstretch sending Goggins for a spin. On the restart, Gignac would break away from the 2nd place car of Semple by three car lengths to once again assume control of the point, as Semple checked into 2nd, with Latimer, Misener, and the 29 car of visiting driver Steve Cashmore now rounding out the top five. After a lap 20 caution came about when Hamilton and #21 Bill Walt collected between turns 3&4, Gignac would again break away from Semple by a single car length, with the latter narrowly finding the inside groove in front of Latimer entering turn one to maintain runner up positioning. Over the duration, the best battle on track was the race for 4th, as Cashmore would find the inside of Misener between turns 1&2 with the two drivers waging a tough, clean battle for that position in what was an awesome display of short track racing. It was clear this race would belong to the front running Gignac however, as the driver would easily record the win by 5 car lengths over a game Semple who recorded a career best 2nd place finish at the checkered. Latimer, would cap off a solid point night with a workmanlike 3rd place effort, while Cashmore and Misener would complete the top 5.

Earlier heat wins went to Gignac and Latimer with a pair each. In recording the “hat trick” for the second time this season, Gignac would increase his point lead to a near insurmountable 86 points over the 2nd place car of Latimer, with #21 Desi Walt sitting in third just a single marker back of Latimer. Speaking of Walt, the 5th year division veteran would go for a wild ride in the opening heat race of the evening for the division, as she would make slight contact with the 11 of Misener in turn two, after Misener got loose on exit of that corner. The result would see contact with Walt’s right front and Misener’s left rear quarter panel, sending Walt towards the tire wall at entry of pit road. As she tried to correct, Walt would veer off and make contact with #37 Robbie Sikes, as the two drivers crashed into the outside retaining wall very hard, with Walt’s car sent for a barrel roll in what was a terribly scary incident. Thankfully both drivers would be fine, with the damage incurred proving terminal for Sikes’ #37 Impala SS while the Walt ride would make it back out for feature time, after some hard work from several teams pitside, now with father Bill behind the wheel from which he would orchestrate a 6th place feature showing.

In the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock division, it was another current point leader who found victory lane in the 25 lap feature, as #10 Doug Butler of New Lowell would capture his division leading 5th feature win of the season in his super fast Nissan 240. The race would begin with #6 Josh Inglis moving to the point from pole position, as #88 Jeremy McLean began to work under #4 Barrie Moore for 2nd, a position he would eventually capture, dragging along the #28 of JP Rosevear along with him into third in the running order. McLean, would take the lead from Inglis a short while later, with Rosevear again following to land in 2nd, as Inglis was now trapped to the high side and in turn shuffled back in the field, as the quartet of #24 Rick Butler, #63 Jamie Cairns, #77 Mike Gettliffe, and Doug Butler all would make their way past. Approaching lap 10, Rosevear would pull along the high side of McLean for the race lead, and after a tough 2 lap battle the race’s first caution would fly as #400 Justin Holmes went around on the exit of turn four. On the restart, Rosevear would quickly take over the point after working around the outside of McLean, with Gettliffe making an inside move on lap 12 while racing out of turn two to take over 2nd, as Doug Butler would follow that move one lap later, dropping McLean back to the 4th place position.

The race’s second caution period would come about on lap 14, when #06 Rick Walt would make contact with #41 Connor James underneath the flagstand while racing just inside the top 10, sending James for a spin through the infield grass. On the restart, Gettliffe would give challenge to Rosevear’s outside, with Butler, and last weeks feature winner #68 Brandon Crumbie racing nip and tuck behind that duo. It was on lap 19 the race would turn really interesting, with Gettliffe working around the outside of Rosevear entering turn three while searching for the race lead, as Butler put the race 3 wide to the inside of the same corner as Rosevear fell back to third. Gettliffe, and Butler would drag race side by side approaching the flagstand, with slight contact made between the pair entering turn one sending Gettliffe slightly crooked and Butler to the extreme high side, as Crumbie dove down inside both drivers to take over at the front of the pack. Crumbie, would continue to soldier on with the race lead over the next four laps, when on the last lap, Butler would catch up with his fellow competitor and execute an inside pass while racing out of turn two to take over control of the point. Butler, would capture the win over the 2008 division champ Crumbie by a half car length at the checkered, as Gettliffe wasn’t far behind that duel in bringing his #77 Neon home in 3rd in what was a thrilling finish. #63 Jamie Cairns would bring his Cavalier to the line in 4th place, as #57 Ryan Toon would round out the top 5.

Earlier heat wins went to Butler with a pair to cap off a “hat trick” of his own, Crumbie, Toon, #24 Rick Butler, and #3 Randi Seguin.

PIT NOTES ——————- With several cancellations at a number of area tracks, Barrie Speedway would see a number of new faces align the pits to compete in the evening’s festivities. In the Wahta Springs Late Models, it would be #81 Britney Gresel of Sauble Beach who would take to the High Line for her first career start. Gresel, would keep a clean car under her the entire night in coming up with 11th and 12th place feature results, finishing on the lead lap in both 30 lap races despite electing to start at the rear of the field on the restarts. In the Triple Sick Skin Tattoo Thunder Car division it would be #29 Steve Cashmore of Freelton, #17 Tyler Liscum of Barrie, and #07 Dan Archibald of Innisfil who would make their first Barrie starts of 2014. Cashmore, would impress many in coming home with a 4th place feature finish to go with 2nd and 4th place results incurred in the heat races, while Liscum would bring his ride home in 7th place in the feature, after 4th and 5th place heat race finishes. Archibald, would drive to 2nd and 3rd place heat race showings, but wouldn’t fare as well in the feature when a late race black flag after contact post race under caution with Barrie regular #55 Shawn Goggins would negate top 10 results for both drivers. In the St. Onge Pure Stocks it was #1 Charlie Smith, #21 Ken Townsend, #87 Shawn Gerrior, and #36 Hudson Nagy who would all take to the Barrie track for the first time in 2014. Smith, the 2012 track champ in the division, would pilot his Neon to a tidy 6th place feature result after earlier twin 5th place heat race showings. Nagy, a Flamboro Speedway regular would also turn in twin 5th place heat race results to go with an impressive 11th place feature finish in what was the youngter’s first time seeing the Barrie track. Townsend, would pilot his Honda Civic to a 17th place feature finish in a deep and talent laden 25 car field, while Gerrior would bring his Neon home in 23rd, finishing 5 laps down after encountering some mechanical difficulties… Be sure to join us this coming Sat June 26 as all three divisions are back in action with pit gates open at 2pm, spectator gates commencing business at 5pm, and green flag racing slated for 6:30pm sharp.. With the season winding down gradually this should prove to be yet another can’t miss event!!!!

By Dave Vokey- On what was yet another picturesque evening for racing Barrie Speedway would kick off the second half of the 2014 season in fine style on July 12, as the evenings big winners were #91 Andre Pepin of Midland and #00 Darryl St. Onge of Barrie, as each driver would capture a 30 lap feature victory in the track’s featured Wahta Springs Late Model division. Ironically enough, it would be both drivers second feature win of the season and first since the month of May, with Pepin’s prior victory coming in the season opening event on May 10, while St. Onge captured his first career Late Model feature win on the May 24th card. The win for both drivers would further cement their stature within the top 5 in the season long point standings, as Pepin checks into 5th place just 44 points in back of current point leader and defending track champ #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station, while St. Onge currently sits in 4th place in the standings, just 7 points ahead of his fellow competitor Pepin, and 37 in back of Shepherd for the division lead.

In the first 30, it was Pepin and #69 Al “Red Rocket” Inglis who went wheel to wheel from the onset, with pole sitter Pepin finally breaking clear of Inglis entering turn 1 on lap three to assume control of the race lead. Holding down 3rd place in the early stages was #44 Rob Bromley of Orillia, with the 4th place car of #49 “Flyin” Frank Davey receiving early pressure for that position from #12 Dwight Brown of Beeton, as Brown would have a look to the inside of Davey midway down the backstretch but was unable to make the pass stick. Perhaps the early pressure from Brown would light a fire under venerable veteran Davey, as the former 4 time Thunder Car champ would work his way to Bromley’s outside for 3rd entering turn one to advance further in the running order, leading the way for the silky smooth 12 of Brown to follow a short while later to claim 4th place. On lap 8, Brown would take over third from Davey with a sleek inside pass between turns 1&2, as leader Pepin was now free and clear of the second place car of Inglis by 3 car lengths at the front of the field. Nearing the midway mark, the man on the move was the 31 of Rick Walt of Hawkestone, as the talented pilot would work his way past Brown for 3rd with a low side pass between turn 1&2, after the hard charging Walt would begin the race in the ninth place starting position.

At the front of the pack, it was still Pepin who was firmly in control, holding a near half straightaway lead on the 2010 track champ Inglis, as Pepin was completing laps of the one third mile tri oval configuration in the 15.1 second range. Inglis, would soon find the 31 of Walt land on his back bumper a short while later, with the talented Inglis able to momentarily fend off the Walt charge. At this point in the race the best battle on track was the race for 7th, as #24 Leonard “The Bandit” Johnston and #79 Cory Horner waged an impressive dice for that position, with Johnston eventually prevailing and being able to hold off the pesky Horner. With three laps remaining, the 31 of Walt would dive down inside Inglis entering turn 3 to take over 2nd, while a little further in back the duo of Shepherd and St. Onge would work past the 49 of Davey advance to 5th and 6th respectively. At the front of the field, third year driver Pepin would remain calm and collected, hitting all his marks along the way with the 31 of Walt still lurking and able to slightly cut into the advantage Pepin had built up at the front of the pack. Pepin, would drive on to record the victory in the caution free affair by 3 car lengths over the oncoming Walt at the checkered. Inglis, would get his night kick started under solid footing with a 3rd place effort, while Brown and Shepherd would comprise the remainder of the top five.

In the 30 lap finale to the evening, it was the 79 of Horner who found the front early after gaining the advantage on the 44 of Bromley from the drop of the green. Also on the move in the early stages was the duo of St. Onge and Johnston, as the two former Thunder Car drivers would make their way under the 44 of Bromley to check into 2nd and 3rd respectively just a couple laps in. On lap 4, St. Onge would work his way to the inside of leader Horner in turn 2 to take control of the point, with the duo of Johnston and Brown alertly following that move to drop Horner back to 4th in the running order. On lap 8, Brown would find the inside of Johnston on the exit of turn 4 to take over runner up positioning, with the 31 of Walt also nearing the front of the field, as he too would pass Johnston to take over third place. The race’s only caution would fly on lap 9, as Davey would spin in turn two after possible contact, with Davey coming to rest against the tire wall along the entry to pit road and sustaining some front end damage along the way.

On the restart, leader St. Onge would break out to a marginal advantage over the 12 of Brown who soon came under heavy fire from the 31 of Walt, as the latter would advance to 2nd place with a clean inside move entering turn 1. At the midway point, Walt was all over the back bumper of St. Onge for the race lead, looking both high and low to find a way past, as the sleek looking 00 of St. Onge held firm and was able to fend off the Walt challenge every step of the way. Just a little further in back of the St.Onge/Walt dice for the race lead, the 12 of Brown found himself locked in a duel with Shepherd for 3rd, as Shepherd would have a look to the inside in between turns 3&4, but was unable to make the potential pass stick. With just two laps remaining, there was a battle shaping up for 5th place positioning involving Inglis and Johnston, with Johnston having a brief look to his counterpart’s inside out of turn two but was unable to find power under hood to work his way around the wily veteran Inglis. At the front of the field, St. Onge still had a mirror full of the 31 of Walt in the battle for the point, but St. Onge would show incredible poise in protecting the lower groove, fending Walt off at every opportunity, as St. Onge would drive on to record the win by a single car length over Walt at the stripe. Brown, would cap off a solid point night in coming home third, while Shepherd and Inglis would complete the fast five.

In Triple Sick Skin Tattoo Thunder Car action, it was the current point leader #00 Luke Gignac of Port McNicholl who recorded the win in the 30 lap main, marking the driver’s 6th feature win of the season in just nine feature races. Entering the second half of the 2014 campaign, Gignac looks of have a virtual lock on the 2014 track title, holding a 70 point lead on his nearest competition #21 Desi Walt of Hawkestone, who would have a solid night of her own in finishing 3rd in the feature race. The race would begin with #3 Jim Morrison taking the early lead from the pole position, as #37 Robbie Sikes would make his way under #7 Joel Hamilton an inside move in turn two with to take control of 2nd place in the early going. The Sikes move would quickly lead the way for the duo of #55 Shawn Goggins and #22 Jason Elliott to also follow through under the 7 of Hamilton to take over 3rd and 4th respectively. On lap 3, Goggins would continue his charge towards the front, passing Sikes for 2nd with an inside move midway down the backstretch. After an early debris caution would appear, it was again Morrison who found the point after fending off a challenge from the 55 of Goggins along the outside line. Goggins, would eventually lose runner up position to the 37 of Sikes, who then quickly found his way to the race lead with an inside pass of Morrison in turn three on lap nine, with the duo of #11 Adam Misener and Elliott quickly following that progression to enter podium positioning.

At this point in the race the best duel on track was the battle for 5th, as Gignac and #64 Ryan Semple went to war for that position, with Gignac eventually taking the spot despite a valiant effort from Semple. On lap 10, misfortune would befell the 55 of Goggins who slowed along the frontstretch with a flat left front tire, forcing the driver pitside and giving up his top 5 positioning in the process. With Sikes and Misener now aligning the front row, the ensuing restart wouldn’t go well when Morrison spun out of turn 4, with #50 “Pistol” Pete Marquardt having nowhere to go but into the side of the prone Morrision Chysler 300 Z. This time on the restart, Sikes and Misener would wage a tough and clean two lap duel for the race lead, with Misener eventually clearing his counterpart, leading the way for an alert 22 of Elliott to follow and claim 2nd, with an inside pass of Sikes in turn three. It was at this point in the race Gignac was beginning to make his presence felt, working past Sikes for third right at the midway mark. At the front of the field, Misener was steadily pacing the field with laps in the 16.4 second range, holding Elliott at bay by 2 car lengths, as Elliott would then come under fire from the hard charging Gignac for runner up positioning. On lap 22, Gignac would execute a bump and run move on Elliott between turns 1&2 to take over second, quickly Setting his sights on finding the back bumper of race leader Misener. The race’s fourth and final caution would fly on the completion of lap 27, after Goggins would get some contact from #10 Jordan “Lil Gambler” Latimer, with Goggins going for a spin in turn two and both drivers summoned arrears for the restart. When the race went green, it was Gignac who quickly found the point from the outside line around the high side of Misener, with the third place car of Elliott now under heavy fire from the 21 of Walt. On the last lap, Walt would pull along the high side of Elliott entering turn three to take over that position , but it was clear that once out front the race was Gignac’s to lose and the driver wouldn’t disappoint his many fans in attendance en route to claiming the victory by three car lengths over Misener at the checkered. Walt, would turn in an impressive showing in coming to the line in 3rd, as Elliott and Sikes rounded out the top 5.

Four different heat winners came in the form of Gignac, Sikes, #55 Shawn Goggins, and #10 Jordan Latimer.

In the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock division it was #68 Brandon Crumbie of Beeton who claimed his first feature win of the season in a fast paced 25 lap affair. For Crumbie the 2008 track champion in the division, the win would mark his first feature victory at the track since that championship season, with the talented driver having spent the last several season split between the Late Model and Open Wheel Modified ranks at various tracks throughout the province. The race would begin with an early duel between #6 Josh Inglis and #18 Tim Gagne, with Gagne eventually taking the lead from outside pole position with a outside pass of Inglis entering turn 1 on lap two. Also on the move early was #88 Jeremy McLean, as the driver would relieve Inglis of 2nd, quickly leading the way for the fast #28 Mustang of JP Rosevear to claim 3rd. Rosevear, would quickly pass McLean for runner up positioning, and would receive a further stroke of luck when leader Gagne slowed entering turn 1 with mechanical issues, handing the point over to Rosevear who soon found challenge to the inside from the #06 of Ryan Hardy for the race lead. On lap 11, it was Hardy’s turn to experience difficulty, when he too would slow on track while racing out of turn two, quickly allowing the fast duo of Crumbie and defending division champ #77 Mike Gettliffe to pass him and advance to second and third respectively.

The caution would soon appear a short while later when Hardy would come to a halt in turn four unable to make it back to pit road to correct his ailing #06 Neon. The top 5 at this point would be made up of leader Rosevear, Crumbie, Gettliffe, McLean, and #57 Ryan Toon. On the restart, Crumbie was quick to power around the outside of Rosevear and into the race lead, with Gettliffe also beginning to work the top side of Rosevear while searching for 2nd, while a little further in behind Toon would claim 4th from McLean. After the 2nd caution period would come about, Crumbie again found the point, this time Gettliffe would slip under Rosevear for 2nd, quickly leading the way for the hard charging #57 VW Golf of Toon to advance to third. Crumbie, began to set a torrid pace at the front of the pack, completing laps in the 16.6 second range, keeping Gettliffe at bay by a single car length, with the best battle now a shaping up just outside of the top 5 at point leader #10 Doug Butler would pass #64 “California” Dave Crumbie for the sixth place position. Unfortunately Butler would begin to slip back in the running order, with a suspected left front tire going down with just a handful of laps remaining. On the last lap, Gettliffe would get a nose to the inside of leader Crumbie between turns 1&2, but as had been the case the majority of the night the #68 Mustang of Crumbie would really take a liking to the outside line, as the driver was able to hold onto the race lead, just edging Gettliffe by a half car length at the finish. #57 Ryan Toon would follow up a runner up showing one week ago with his 2nd podium in succession in coming to the line in third, while Rosevear and #3 Randi Seguin would round out the top 5.

As with the Thunder Cars, the Pure Stocks would not see a repeat heat race winner on this evening either as Crumbie, Toon, Doug Butler, #400 Justin Holmes, #09 Dean Curry, and #24 Rick Butler would claim heat race wins. The win for Rick Butler was his first career win in the Pure Stock ranks, a high water accomplishment on the season for what is a vastly improving race program.

PIT NOTES ———————- Be sure to join us this coming Sat July 19 as all three regular divisions are back in action as well as the one and only Barrie appearance for the Lucas Oil Can Am TQ Midgets. The Lucas Oil sponsored club are the fastest race vehicles that will take to the High Line this season, with several of the front runners quite capable of amassing sub 13 second lap times. Defending Barrie race winner and series champion #40 Mack DeMan leads a strong contingent of TQ drivers to invade the High Line, with DeMan having gone to victory lane in 3 of 5 feature races this season, including the most recent race last weekend at Sunset Speedway. Pit gates will open one hour earlier for this special event at 1pm, while spectator gates commence business
5pm , with green flag slated to drop at 6:30 pm sharp.. If past years races involving the TQ MIdgets at Barrie are any indication this will truly prove to be a can’t miss event!!!!!!!!

In keeping with a season long trend, the weather was once again picture perfect for a thrilling night of on track action at Barrie Speedway on June 28. Once again the big winner on the night was a division rookie in the tracks featured Wahta Springs Late Model division, as #31 Rick Walt of Hawkestone captured both 30 lap feature races in the class to move into the division lead with 5 feature wins amassed in 2014, in what possibly could be the most successful rookie season in the track’s 50 year history. In the first feature, Walt would execute a clean outside pass on 3rd year competitor #91 Andre Pepin of Midland on the exit of turn two to take control inside of 5 laps remaining, while in the 30 lap finale to the evening, Walt was chased to the stripe every step of the way by former multi time Mosport Speedway Open Wheel Modified champ #12 Dwight Brown of Beeton. Heading into the Mid Season Championship which kicks off the month of July, defending track champ #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station holds a slender 16 point lead over Brown, with rookie contender #00 Darryl St. Onge of Barrie sitting in third, just 34 points behind the leader. Perhaps the tightest battles are in positions 4 through 6, as Pepin currently holds down 4th place just five points further in back of St. Onge and 39 behind leader Shepherd, while 2010 track champ Al Inglis rounds out the top 5 just 42 points out of the division lead. Despite the strong start to his season the hard charging Walt currently sits sixth, just three points out of top 5 positioning, after the driver would suffer some misfortune during the early part of June that resulted in a DNF. With the standings the closest they have been in recent years, it remains anyone’s guess just who will stake a claim to track supremacy in September as the season wraps up.

In the first of the twin 30 lap affairs, it was #24 Leonard “The Bandit” Johnston who took the initial lead after winning a tough two lap duel with pole sitter #5 Mike “The Hulkamaniac” Langley from the drop of the green. Quick to follow the Johnston progression on the outside line was the 91 of Pepin, as the talented pilot would check into 2nd in the early going with an outside pass of Langley in turn three. An early caution would appear on lap four, when #44 Rob Bromley of Orillia would get sideways in turn 4, making contact with the 12 of Brown who went for a spin, while St. Onge would tag the frontstretch wall on exit of four while trying to avoid the prone Brown ride. On the restart, Pepin would take over the point from Johnston and open up a 2 car length advantage from the outside line, while a little further in back Walt was beginning to make his presence felt, slipping inside #22 Taylor Holdaway for 3rd with an inside move in turn two. On lap 8, Walt would continue his charge towards the point, working inside of Johnston in turn 2 to take over runner up positioning, as an alert Holdaway would follow that pass one lap later to drop Johnston back to 4th in the running order.

Just shy of the midway point, a pair of veteran drivers were beginning to make noise, as Shepherd would dispose of Johnston for 4th, as Inglis would in turn follow that pass to enter top 5 positioning, with a clean low move in turn four. At this point in the race leader Pepin was still looking calm and collected, holding a 4 car length lead over Walt as the duo were clicking off laps in the 15.1 second range, now holding a near half straightaway advantage over the third place car of Holdaway. On lap 24, the strong #31 Impala SS of Walt would pull even with Pepin, as the two drivers waged a solid two lap dice for the race lead, with not as much as a rub between them. On lap 26, Pepin would just wash up the track ever so slightly in turn two, with Walt diving down towards the inside line and powering into the race lead. Over the duration, Walt was able to open up a two car length lead over the game Pepin, as Walt would cruise to victory from there, taking the win by those same two car lengths over Pepin at the finish. #22 Taylor Holdaway would match a season and career best at Barrie in coming home third, while Shepherd and Inglis would comprise the remainder of the top 5.

In the 30 lap finale to the evening, it was the 5 of Langley who broke out front early, after going wheel to wheel with the 24 of Johnston from the onset, while wily veteran #49 “Flyin” Frank Davey sat comfortably in the pocket in third, looking for any type of slip up from the lead duo. Just a few laps in the car to watch was the 12 of Brown, as the veteran driver would slip inside the 00 of St. Onge in turn two to wrestle away third, as St. Onge now found himself trapped to the high side, and was in turn passed by the duo of Walt and Shepherd. On lap 9, the positions continued to change near the front of the pack as Johnston would drift high out of turn 2, allowing Davey the opening he needed to take 2nd place. The strong run near the front would come to an abrupt end for Johnston when he and the 91 of Pepin would get hooked together while racing out of turn 4, as both drivers slowed on track leaving the 10 of Shepherd and 22 of Holdaway nowhere to go but pile into the melee, as all four drivers would be able to continue but would have to assume their spots at the rear of the field as involved cars. On the restart, Langley would still be holding a slight advantage over the 49 of Davey who made slight contact with Langley’s right rear while racing into turn three. The result would send Davey for a spin, as an alert job was done by the field in behind who scrambled to avoid the prone Davey ride.

This turn of events would bring the staunch 31 of Walt to Langley’s outside for the restart, which again wouldn’t go well when Langley would go for a lazy spin in turn two while trying to match the advances of Walt who was beginning to break out to a marginal advantage while running the outer groove. The result would again catch up the 10 of Shepherd, as the current point leader would make contact with Langley’s Dodge Charger, again the victim of nowhere to go. This series of mid race cautions would set the stage for a Walt/Inglis battle from the front row, as Walt would soon find the point, relegating Inglis to second, with St. Onge making his way to third inside of Davey who was now trapped to the high side himself, as the 12 of Brown and 10 of Shepherd would also work their way past the former 4 time track Thunder Car champ. On lap 16, St. Onge would move to 2nd inside of Inglis out of turn 2, with Inglis then slowing on track and losing several more positions along the way, eventually come to a halt in turn 3 to bring out the race’s fourth and final caution period. Once again it was Walt who found the front on the ensuing restart, as Brown would slip inside St. Onge for 2nd with an inside pass midway down the backstretch, with Shepherd who was also back near the front following through to claim third. On lap 22, the positions would continue to change, as the 22 of Holdaway had now entered the top 5, passing Davey along the high side entering turn one. Holdaway, would continue to search for the front, as the driver would look to the inside of St. Onge in an attempt to take over 4th but would inadvertantly run up over the curbing in turn one, as St. Onge executed a remarkable save and was able to maintain the position despite the contact from Holdaway. On the last lap, the duo would once again tangle in turn three while racing to the stripe, with the result being severe damage to the St. Onge ride who limped to the checkered. Once out front as has been proven on multiple occasions this season the 31 of Walt would prove difficult to catch let alone pass, as that scenario would once again play out here, with Walt capturing his 2nd feature win of the evening by 4 car lengths over Brown at the checkered. Despite some early misfortune, Shepherd would cap off a solid point night with a third place showing, while Holdaway, and Ingils would round out the fast five.

In Triple Sick Skin Tattoo Thunder Car action, it was the current point leader #00 Luke Gignac of Port McNicholl who went to victory lane in the 30 lap main. The win for Gignac, marks his 4th feature victory of 2014 in just 7 starts, as the longtime division veteran looks to be on track for his best career point finish in 2014, after a third place achieved 10 seasons ago. The race would begin with #83 Johnny Morrison taking the lead from pole position, as #37 Robbie Sikes and #11 Adam Misener would check into 2nd and 3rd respectively in the early going. On lap 3, it was #55 Shawn Goggins who took over 3rd with an inside pass on Misener in turn 3, with Gignac following through into 4th after starting 8th on the grid. Just two laps later, Goggins would continue to move forward, working inside of Sikes in turn 3 to advance to runner up positioning, with Gignac again following that pass to drop Sikes to 4th in the running order. Sikes, would soon find himself locked in a duel for that position too, as #12 Rick Walt was fast on the move towards the front, eventually taking over 4th place with a clean low move in turn three.

The first caution would fly on lap 11, as visiting driver #27 Matt Bentley would hit the turn 4 wall after suffering a broken driveshaft, setting the stage for a Morrison/Goggins battle from the restart. When the race went green it was the promising young Morrison who again found the point, as Gignac would move to the inside of Goggins for 2nd, with two time division champ Walt moving to third in the Beleskey #12 Malibu. Gignac, would catch up with leader Morrison on lap 15 and give him a slight nudge outta turn four, but Morrison would hold firm, showing a calm above his years in just his fourth career Barrie start. Gignac, would eventually pull along the top side of promising upstart Morrison, and execute a silky smooth outside pass entering turn three to assume control of the race lead. Gignac, would pull away by a half straightway over Morrison over the duration with laps in the 15.8 second range, with Morrison doing everything he could do to fight off the challenge of Walt for second. Gignac, would take the win in convincing fashion, with Morrison recording a career best 2nd, as Walt, Goggins, and #21 Desi Walt rounded out the top five.

Earlier heat wins went to Gignac and Morrison with a pair each.

In the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock division, a season high 28 cars would align the field for the 25 lap feature, as #400 Justin Holmes of Innisfil went to victory lane for the first time in 2014, after a strong 2013 campaign that saw the driver record multiple feature wins . The race would begin with #18 Tim Gagne working his way to the front from the outside pole position, as #88 Jeremy McLean was quick to follow and check into 2nd around #4 Barrie Moore, with #24 Rick Butler and #06 Ryan Hardy also looking to follow the McLean move to enter top 3 positioning. McLean, would snatch the lead from Gagne on lap 2 around the outside line bewteen turns 3&4, with Butler and Hardy also following through to drop Gagne back to fourth. On lap 8, the car to watch became the defending track champ #77 Mike Gettliffe as the talented wheelman would work to the inside of #28 JP Rosevear in turn one to advance inside the top 5, as the three car train of McLean, Butler, and Hardy began to break away from the pack at the front of the field, breaking out to a half straightaway advantage on the action in behind them.

The first caution would fly on lap 13, when the third place car of Hardy would hit the outside wall on the exit of turn four and get crossways, as the 77 of Gettliffe would catch a piece of the action on the way past as both drivers were summoned arrears as involved cars for the restart. The top 5 at this point would now consist of, leader McLean, Butler, #63 Jaime Cairns, Holmes, and Rosevear. On the restart, McLean and Butler would have an impressive dice for the race lead, when Butler would slip back into the clutches of Cairns for 2nd, as Cairns woud make the pass along the inside of turns 1&2. On lap 16, Cairns would run up on the leader McLean, and as he would attempt an inside pass midway down the backstretch contact was made between the pair, as McLean went for a spin, with the former lead duo now having to take to rear of the field for the restart, now with under half the race remaining. This turn of events would put the ever stout 400 Mustang of Holmes to Butler’s outside for the restart, as Holmes would power into the lead on the outside of turns 1&2, as #68 Brandon Crumbie was quick to follow with #10 Doug Butler and #57 Ryan Toon also in the mix. and looking to advance further towards the front. Over the duration Holmes would drive with a impressive amount of consistency, hitting all his marks along the way while running laps in the 16.4 second range, recording the win by a couple car lengths over Crumbie at the checkered. Point leader Butler would come to the line in 3rd, as Gettliife and Toon would round out the top 5.

Heat wins went to Doug Butler with a pair, Gettliffe, Toon, McLean, and #09 Dean Curry.

PIT NOTES ———————————————– A number of new faces continued to roll through the pits as #41 Connor James and #35 Chance Isherwood would make their first starts of the season in the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock ranks, with James a former Junior Late Model champ turning twin 4th place heat results in impressive fashion, despite having to pull off in the feature with mechanical difficulty with 9 laps remaining. Isherwood, a former division champ at Kawartha Speedway would turn in a 17th place feature showing, while keeping a clean car under him the entire evening in debuting his Mustang at Barrie for the first time. In keeping with the Pure Stocks, current Barrie point leader #10 Doug Butler would turn in an impressive showing at a recent Peterborough Speedway invitational, coming home 2nd in the 30 lap feature, thus earning valuble outside pole positioning for Autumn Colors in October. In the Thunder Car ranks, #27 Matt Bentley of Guelph would debut his brand new McColl chassis turning in twin 4th place finishes. Bentley, brother of former two time Garry Reynolds Memorial winner Mike, would suffer some misfortune come feature time, breaking a driveshaft and hitting the turn 4 wall causing right rear cosmetic damage to the right rear of the car, thus bringing his evening to an early end. Be sure to join us this week for Mid Season Championship Night, as twin 50 lap features for the Wahta Springs Late Models are the featured event, with the Thunder Cars and Pure Stocks also taking to the track for extra distance events.. Pit Gate opens at 2pm, with spectator gates opening at 5pm and green flag slated to drop at 6:30pm sharp!! With the long standing of Mid Season bragging rights on the line THIS WILL PROVE TO BE A CAN’T MISS EVENT!!!
By Dave Vokey

Once again ideal weather conditions would bless the legions of fans and drivers alike at Barrie Speedway on June 21, and with the largest crowd of the season to date on hand it would be the Ridge Road Racing team based out of Oro Station that would be the most prominent players on Mobil 1 night. In the tracks premier Wahta Springs Late Model division, it would be the defending track champion #10 Gord Shepherd who would capture both ends of the twin 30 lap features, while in the Triple Sick Skin Thunder Cars it would be Shepherd’s stablemate 15 year old Jordan Latimer of Coldwater who would march to victory lane in the 30 lap main. The win for Latimer would be his first career feature win at the speedway, and perhaps was the most popular victory in the 50 year history of the track, as the talented youngster is the grandson of the late Garry “The Gambler” Reynolds a former 7 time track champion and one of the most respected competitors ever to compete at the one third mile tri oval.

In the first 30 lap feature race in the Late Models, it would be #44 Rob Bromley of Orillia who broke out to a marginal lead after gaining the advantage on #27 “Smilin” Sam Reckzin from the drop of the green. Also quick on the move towards the front was the duo of #69 Al “Red Recket” Inglis of Orillia and Shepherd, as the pair of veteran drivers would power past Reckzin on the outside line midway down the backstretch to check into 2nd and 3rd respectively, just a couple laps in. At the five lap mark, the best battle forming on track was the race for sixth involving #12 Dwight Brown of Beeton and #24 Leonard “The Bandit” Johnston of Bracebridge who battled side by side for several laps, with neither driver able to gain a clear cut advantage. It was on lap 7 when Shepherd first began to make noise, as the talented pilot would work his way past Inglis for 2nd with a clean outside pass between turns 1&2.

At the front of the field Bromley was still firmly in control running laps in the 15.5 second range as Shepherd would soon begin to close, eventually pulling along the high side of the race leader and moving himself to the point on lap 14, with an outside pass in turn three. All the while in behind the duo of Johnston and Brown continued to race hard, now for 4th, with Brown finally taking the spot with a top side pass entering turn one. On lap 22, Johnston would find himself locked in another impressive dice, this time with rookie standout #31 Rick Walt of Hawkestone, as the latter would wrestle away fifth place with a clean inside pass on the exit of turn two. Shepherd, would soon open up a three car length lead at the front of the pack, completing circuits in the 15.1 second range with the second place car of Bromley now under heavy fire from the 69 of Inglis who would snatch away runner up positioning along the inside line in turn 2 with just four laps remaining. A little further in back, Walt would progress to 4th after working past Brown low in turn one. It would be clear this would be Shepherd’s race to lose however, but the driver would show incredible poise in hitting all his marks along the way to record the win by four car lengths over Inglis at the checkered. Bromley, would record a season best finish in coming home third, while Walt and Brown would round out the top 5 in the caution free affair.

In the 30 lap finale to the evening, it would be the 27 of Reckzin who found the point early, after coming out the victor of a tough 2 lap dice with outside pole sitter #5 Mike “The Hulkamaniac” Langley of Orr Lake from the drop of the green. Also making noise in the early going was the 44 of Bromley, as he would dispose of Langley along the inside to claim 2nd, quickly leading the way for rookie #00 Darryl St. Onge of Barrie to follow through to take 3rd, also along the inside of Langley. On lap 4, it was Shepherd’s turn to challenge Langley for position, as the 2009 and 2013 champ would soon move into 4th, leading the way for the ever tough 12 of Brown to follow and land inside the top 5. On lap 7, Bromley would mount his first challenge towards Reckzin for the lead, as the two promising upstarts would battle for a solid six laps side by side until Bromley would finally find the front, with the ever ominus 00 of St. Onge nipping at their heels all the while. Bromley, would continue to lead for another two laps, with Shepherd also now in the mix after negoiating a pass of St. Onge to check into runner up positioning.

At the midway mark, the race would see its 2nd lead change, as Shepherd would find the point along the outside line on the exit of turn 4, dropping Bromley back into the clutches of St. Onge who was quick to power past into 2nd. Also making his presence felt at the front of the pack was the 22 of visiting driver Taylor Holdaway of Orillia, as he would dispose of Bromley along the outside line to advance to third in the running order. Shepherd, was once again setting a torrid pace at the front of the field, holding St. Onge at bay by three car lengths, while Holdaway was being challenged for 3rd place a little further in back by the 31 of Walt, as last years Thunder Car champ would notch the position with a low pass while racing out of turn four, relegating Holdaway back to 4th in the running order. The race would once again be run caution free, in what was an incredible display of tough and clean short track racing by all drivers involved, as Shepherd would drive to his division leading 4th feature win of the season by a slender 3 car lengths over St. Onge at the stripe. Walt, would cap off a solid point night with a third place effort, while Holdaway and Brown would comprise the remainder of the fast five.

In the Thunder Car division, it would be the afore mentioned Latimer who found the front early after starting from the outside pole position and winning the duel with fellow rookie #3 Jim Morrison. Another rookie would soon begin to put on a charge, as #11 Adam Misener would bring his gorgeous 63 Impala into 2nd past Morrison with an outside pass entering turn one, with the stout #55 Pontiac of Shawn Goggins quick to follow to land in third place in the early going. Latimer, would soldier on with the race lead, running laps just a shade over the 16 second barrier, now moving out to nearly a full straightaway lead on Misener when the first and only caution would fly on lap 9, as Morrison and #12 Rick Walt would tangle out of turn four while racing for 4th, with Morrison being shown the black flag for rough driving thus ending his evening prematurely, with Walt taking a spot at the rear of the field for the restart. At this point in the race the top 5 would be comprised of race leader Latimer, Misener, Goggins, current point leader #00 Luke Gignac, and division sophomore #16 Bryan Penny. When the race went green once again, it was Latimer who was again in control, moving to a two car length lead over Misener, who was then passed for 2nd by Goggins on the low side in turn two, as Gignac and speedway newcomer #83 Johnny Morrison ran tightly behind that duo.

Just beyond the midway point, Gignac would continue his charge toward the front, getting alongside Misener midway down the backstretch, and completing an outside pass of his fellow competitor to now move into third, while just in behind the action was hot and heavy for 5th in a duel involving #22 Jason Elliott and Walt, with the latter taking the spot with a clean low move while racing out of turn two. On lap 23, Gignac would wrestle away 2nd place from Goggins after executing a low pass in turn 3, while Walt would take 4th from Misener with a low move in turn four just moments later. Over the duration, Gignac would close in on leader Latimer, looking both high and low for a way past, but the talented Latimer would show poise beyond his years in fending off every challenge Gignac could mount his way. The young Latimer would drive like a grizzled veteran with ice water in his veins in recording the win by just a single car length over the oncoming Gignac at the checkered. #55 Shawn Goggins would match a season and career best with a third place showing, while Walt would mark his return to the division in coming home 4th, as Misener would also match a season best in completing the top 5.

Heat wins were recorded by Latimer, Gignac, Walt, and #21 Desi Walt.

In the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock ranks it was current point leader #10 Doug Butler of New Lowell who captured the 25 lap feature win, marking his 3rd feature victory of 2014 in just six attempts. The race would begin with #88 Jeremy McLean moving out front from outside pole positioning, as #8 Paul Bogensberger Jr. and #06 Ryan Hardy would follow that progression to land in 2nd and 3rd respectively in the early going. On lap 5, Hardy would move to 2nd past Bogensberger, with the latter then falling under pressure from the duo of #28 JP Rosevear and defending track champ #77 Mike Gettliffe, as that duo would work their way past on lap 10. At the front of the field, McLean was holding close to a full straightaway lead when the first and only caution would appear when Rosevear and Gettliffe would make contact while racing into turn one, with Gettliffe suffering a flat right rear tire and forced pitside, as both drivers were sent arrears as involved cars. On the restart, it was the 06 of Hardy who moved out front from the outside line, with Butler making an inside pass of McLean for 2nd in turn two. It was on lap sixteen Butler would make the winning move, getting alongside of Hardy in turn one and passing him along the outer groove, while just in behind that battle #400 Justin Holmes would advance to third after getting past McLean. Over the duration, Butler would encounter heavy lapped traffic and was completing laps in the 17.3 second range while working his way around the outside of the racetrack, as positions began to change with each passing lap, with many tightly bunched groups of cars racing for position. Butler, would eventually claim the win by a half straightaway over Hardy at the checkered, with it being a career best finish for the runner up Hardy. Holmes, would have a solid third place showing after starting the race in the 13th place position in a deep 24 car field, while #57 Ryan Toon, and #68 Brandon Crumbie would round out the top 5.

Six different qualifying heat race winners came in the form of Butler, Holmes, #09 Dean Curry, #77 Mike Gettliffe, #64 “California” Dave Crumbie, and #63 Jamie Cairns. The win for Cairns was his first career checkered flag after five years spent competing in the Pure Stock ranks, quite a landmark accomplishment for the #63 race team..

PIT NOTES ———- A number of new faces continue to parade through the pit gates throughout the month of June, as #22 Taylor Holdaway would make his 2nd start of the season in the Wahta Springs Late Models, and third career at the speedway.. Holdaway, would campaign the Peter Schotanus house car to 4th and 6th place feature results after recording a 3rd place on the June 7 evening’s card. #83 Johnny Morrison of Barrie would also make his 2nd start of the season in the Thunder Car ranks, bringing home two fifth place heat results, along with an impressive 8th place showing in the 30 lap feature. Meanwhile in the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stocks, #15 Dave Middel of Barrie would make his first ever Barrie appearance, coming home with 5th and 6th place heat race showings to go with a 17th place feature effort in a deep and talent laden 24 car field in the feature. Middel, would impress many in keeping a clean car under him the entire evening.. Be sure to join us this coming Saturday June 28 for Fan Appreciation Night where our drivers will align the track during intermission, handing out treats and autograph cards for the kids enjoyment.. Our regular intermission King of the Hill feature will return on July 5 for Mid Season Championship Night that features twin 50 lap features for the Late Models, while the Thunder Cars will race for 40 laps, with the Pure Stock feature being a 30 lap affair.. Pit gates open at 2pm for both events, with spectator gates commencing business at 5pm and green flag slated to fly at 7pm sharp… THESE WILL PROVE TO BE TWO CAN’T MISS EVENTS!!!!!

In bucking a recent trend of warmer temperatures, a very cool evening would greet fans and drivers alike for the one and only stop at Barrie Speedway for both the Oscaar Super Late Model and Modified tours on June 14. The evening’s big winners would turn out to be #17 Kevin Cornelius of Shelburne who captured his first career series win at the tight and tricky one third mile tri oval, while Modified series veteran #8 Gary McLean of Conn went to victory lane in the 30 lap Modified main, marking the drivers 2nd series win at Barrie in just 3 appearances at the track for the open wheeled ground pounders.

In the Super Late 50 lap main event it was #10 Jesse Kennedy of Southwold who broke out into the early lead from the pole position, with former Barrie Thunder champ #44 Dave “The Deuce” Doucette of Angus having to fight off a stern challenge from #45 Rob Poole on the opening lap. It wouldn’t take long for the 45 of Poole to find the inside of Doucette to wrestle away 2nd, quickly leading the way for the duo of #22 Glenn Watson of Barrie and #81 Andrew Gresel of Hepworth to follow through to claim 3rd and 4th respectively, with the game Doucette now trapped to the high side on lap 4. The first of the contenders to suffer misfortune was the 22 of Watson, as the former 4 time series champ would slow along the backstretch and retire pitside for the evening with mechanical issues on lap 7. Just beyond the 10 lap mark the 81 of Gresel would take off like a bullet on the high line of the racetrack, passing Poole for 2nd, and then working his way past leader Kennedy with an impressive move on the outside of turn one. Gresel, would continue to set a brisk pace, completing laps of the one third mile track in the 13.6 second range, with the 17 of Cornelius also now in the mix after disposing of Poole to claim third in the running order.

On lap 22, Cornelius would continue his charge to the front, working his way past Kennedy with a clean low pass on the exit of turn four to claim the runner up post, with leader Gresel free and clear of his counterpart by a half straightaway nearing the midway point. Nearing lap 30, the best battle on track was the race for third as Kennedy and Poole waged an impressive dice for that position, with Poole having a look to Kennedy’s inside while racing out of turn two as that pair was trying to work around the #42 of former Barrie Late Model competitor Tyler Hawn of Oro Station. The race’s first caution would fly on lap 31, when Kennedy would spin out of turn four after contact from Poole, with both drivers summoned arrears for the restart. It was at this point the race would hit a fevered pitch, as Gresel and Cornelius went to war for the race lead, with Cornelius just about clearing Gresel from the outside line, as Gresel would give his counterpart a slight nudge between 1&2 with Cornelius sliding ever so slightly up the track, with Gresel quickly claimed the point. Another quick caution would appear on lap 33 when Poole was forced pitside to change a right front tire. This set the stage for another Gresel/Cornelius dice from the front row as the fans sat on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the thrilling battle to come.

On the restart, both division sophomore’s seemed determined to win, racing tough and clean door handle to door handle for several circuits, with each taking a turn leading at the stripe as the laps clicked off. In behind the fierce battle for the lead the action was just as intense in the race for third, as series rookies Doucette and #B10 Kelly Balson of Hampton were locked in an tightly contested duel for that position, with Balson eventually prevailing with a strong outside pass on the exit of turn 4. At the front of the pack, Gresel and Cornelius were still fighting tooth and nail for the race lead, with Cornelius eventually powering out front on lap 46, after Gresel would overcook turn two allowing Cornelius to pull out to a three car length lead before Gresel could correct his sleek looking ride. Over the duration, the positions would remain unchanged as Cornelius would claim his first win in a Super Late, taking the victory by those same three car lengths over Gresel at the checkered. Impressive series rookie Balson would notch a career best 3rd in a Super Late, while fellow rookie Doucette would finish 4th, with #54 Mike Beyore rounding out the fast five.

Qualifying heat wins went to Cornelius with a pair to notch the hat trick on the evening, Poole, and rookie #82 Corey Jones. The win was also the first in a Super Late for Jones, completing an impressive night for the 2014 freshman crop.

In the 30 lap Modified feature, it was 46 year short track veteran #36 Gary “Iron Man” Elliott of Waterdown who moved out to the early lead after working past pole sitter #2 Matt Barton of New Hamburg on the outside line on the exit of turn two just a couple laps in. Also on the move in the early stages was #47 Brian McLean of Conn, as the longtime division veteran would pass Barton for 2nd, leading the way for the duo of #88r Tommy Robb of Varney and #8 Gary McLean to quickly follow to move to third and fourth respectively, after completing a inside pass of Barton midway down the backstretch on lap 6. The first caution would fly one lap later, as Barton would spin in turn 2, with defending Barrie race winner #7 Brent McLean also hitting pit road for adjustments at this point in the race. On the restart, leader Elliott would have to fight off a strong challenge from the 47 of McLean, as the trio of Robb, #26 Terry Baker, and Gary McLean raced covered by a blanket for third in behind. After a lap 13 caution for a single car spin, Elliott would again set the pace on the restart, breaking out to a three car length lead over Brian McLean all the while completing laps just a shade over the 14 second barrier, with McLean now coming under heavy fire from nephew Gary in the race for 2nd in what was a very tightly contested duel.

Just past the 20 lap mark the action was heating up all over the track, as Robb and Baker waged an impressive dice for 4th, with Barrie Late Model competitor #34 Andre Pepin sitting comfortably in the pocket in 6th and looking for any type of a slip up from the duo racing in front of him. Pepin, making his first ever start an Open Wheel Modified was having a clean and impressive race, after startingt he race in the tenth place spot, and soon challenging for a top five position at his hometrack. Near the front of the pack, the 8 of Gary McLean was beginning to make his customary late race charge towards the point, working past Brian McLean with 5 laps remaining with an inside move in turn 3. A strong race would soon take a sour turn for the 47 of Brian McLean, after the talented pilot went for a spin in turn three of the nose of the 88 of Robb with a gaggle of cars stacking up in behind the prone McLean ride as all drivers involved were able to continue. This set the stage for the “Battle of the Gary’s” from the front row, as two time and defending series champ Gary McLean would quickly find the front from the outside row, relegating Elliott to 2nd in what was easily his most competitive Modified start to date. Once out front it was clear it was McLean’s race to lose and the silky smooth driver would not disappoint, hitting all his marks along the way to record the win by two slender car lengths over Elliott at the checkered. Series rookie #91n Max Beyore would turn in a stout third place showing in his first time ever competing at the track, while fellow rookie #26 Terry Baker, and #91 Andre Pepin would complete the top 5.

Qualifying heat wins went to Beyore with a pair, Gary McLean, Elliott, Baker, and #88r Tommy Robb…
by Dave Vokey

by Dave Vokey – With the close of the 2014 season’s first month looming, race fans young and old were treated to a dominant display of driving in the track’s featured Wahta Springs Late Model division, as #31 Rick Walt of Hawkestone would capture both 30 lap feature races as part of Simcoe Child Advocacy Night on May 31. With the wins, Walt becomes the first rookie driver to capture both feature races on the same evening since the track adopted the double feature format at the beginning of the 2010 season. Furthermore, the solid outing would vault Walt from 6th place in the season long point standings into a tie for 2nd, in what has been a season of ups and downs for the talented wheelman who captured the track’s Thunder Car title for the past two years in succession. Heading into the month of June, defending track champ #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station holds a slender 12 point advantage over the duo of #12 Dwight Brown of Beeton and Walt, while division rookie #00 Darryl St. Onge of Barrie sits just 18 behind the leader after very solid showings the past two weeks, while the winner of the first feature race of the season #83 Ian Bourque of Newmarket sits just 21 back of the lead.

In the first 30, it was #27 “Smilin” Sam Reckzin and #44 Rob Bromley who went wheel to wheel for the race lead from the front row. After racing the first 4 laps side by side, Reckzin would break out to a marginal lead with Bromley slowing on track after suspected contact with Reckzin. The result of the contact would soon send leader Reckzin pitside with a flat right rear tire, handing the lead over to former 4 time Thunder Car track champ #49 “Flyin” Frank Davey in the process. Davey, would lead the way for a fast three car train that also included #69 Al “Red Rocket” Inglis and Walt to break away from the rest of the field by a half straightaway nearing the 10 lap mark. On lap 11, also making his presence felt was the 10 of Shepherd, as the silky smooth driver had now entered the top 5 after executing an inside pass of Brown between corners 1&2. The race’s only caution would appear one lap later, when the 4th place car of Bourque would spin in corner two after contact from Shepherd, with both drivers summoned arrears for the ensuing restart as involved cars.

With the race set to go green again and Davey and Inglis on the front row, Davey would overcook corner 2 on the restart and get hard on the brakes, forcing Inglis to wash up the track, as a very alert Walt slid underneath the duo to assume control of the race lead. Davey, would get trapped to the high side at this point, as the trio of #91 Andre Pepin, St. Onge, and Brown all would file past, dropping Davey just outside the top 5 with less than 10 laps remaining. Pepin, would soon drift high along the backstretch himself, allowing both St. Onge and Brown the necessary room to check into 3rd and 4th respectively along the inside line. At the front of the pack, Walt was driving with intense purpose, soon opening up a half straightaway lead on the 2nd place car of Inglis, who was coming under late fire from the 00 of St. Onge for runner up positioning. St. Onge, would not be able to drive his way past the wily veteran Inglis over the late going, with Walt now home and cooled at the front of the pack en route to taking his first Barrie Speedway Late Model feature win. Inglis, would edge St. Onge by a single car length in the race for 2nd, while Brown and Shepherd would complete the top 5.

In the 30 lap finale to the evening it was Bromley who broke out to the early race lead, after gaining the advantage of the 27 of Reckzin from the drop of the green. Quick to attempt a charge to notch 2nd was the 83 of Bourque, as the talented veteran moved to the high side of Reckzin just a couple laps in, with Reckzin holding firm along the inside line and able to maintain the position in the process. Bourque, would finally take the spot after an outside pass while the duo raced into corner one on lap 4, with Brown quickly following that move to claim third. Also beginning to make there presence felt at the front of the field was the duo of Inglis and Shepherd, as that pair would charge to within the top 5 nearing lap 10, after the pair would start 5th and 10th respectively. On lap 12, the action began to heat up all over the racetrack, with Shepherd slipping inside Inglis in corner four to take over 4th, while at the front of the field Brown would complete an impressive 3 wide pass entering corner two to surpass both Bourque and Bromley to assume control of the race lead.

The first of a series of mid race cautions flew on lap 15, when Bourque would get caught up in the marbles in corner 4, with the back end of his sleek looking Mustang kicking out and getting crossways, leaving the duo of Shepherd and Inglis nowhere to go but into the prone Bourque ride. Unfortunately, the contact would prove to be terminal for Inglis, who retired with radiator damage, and in a repeat performance of the first race the duo of Bourque and Shepherd would be sent arrears for the restart. After another caution period, the race would take a fateful turn when it went green for the 3rd mid race restart as the duo of Brown and St. Onge now aligned the front row. While racing into turn one Brown and St. Onge would rub doors, with Brown overcooking turn two as a result, and sliding high up the racetrack. While he tried to maintain track position Brown would slam into the door of the 4th place car of Reckzin, who was in turn hit by the 10 of Shepherd, with the latter then sent for a hard lick into the outside retaining wall. This turn of events would end the night for Brown, Reckzin, and Shepherd, with the top 5 now totally reshuffled to include leader St. Onge, Walt, #5 Mike “The Hulkamaniac” Langley, Bourque, and Davey. On the restart, Walt was once again quick to find the front, completing laps in the 14.7 second range, opening up a half straightaway lead over St. Onge, with the best battle on track now the race for 3rd, as Langley would hold a smooth line along the inside while fighting off a stern challenge from Bourque along the outside. Over the duration the on track positions would remain unchanged, as Walt would cap off a career night by picking up his 2nd feature win of the season. Fellow rookie St. Onge would cap off a solid point night of his own with a solid 2nd place effort, while Langley would record a career best in finishing third. Bourque, would battle back from the mid race adversity to finish 4th, while Davey would comprise the remainder of the fast five.

In the Triple Sick Skin Tattoo Thunder car division, it was #00 Luke Gignac of Port McNicholl who went to victory lane to claim his 3rd feature win of the season in just four attempts. Gignac, currently enjoys a 13 point adavantage in the division standings over #12 Jim “Polish Prince” Beleskey of Carthew Bay, who ironically enough would chase Gignac to the line over the duration of the 30 lap main. The race would begin with #37 Robbie Sikes taking the early lead from pole positioning with the duo of #64 Ryan Semple and #55 Goggins checking into 2nd and 3rd respectively, after outside pole sitter #3 Jim Morrison would get crooked while coming out of corner 4. In the early stages, the best battle on track was the race for fifth, as #7 Joel Hamilton and #10 Jordan Latimer went to war for that position, with Gignac patiently lurking behind that duo in his ominus #00 Pontiac Grand Prix. After an early lap 5 caution, the 55 of Goggins would move to 2nd inside of Semple in corner two, with Semple now under fire from the 00 of Gignac who quickly moved to third with an inside pass midway down the backstretch. Goggins, would momentarily take the lead from Sikes just shy of the midway point of the race, but the driver would soon slip up in corner two a couple laps later, allowing Gignac to assume the lead after he too had slipped past Sikes just a short while earlier.

With the action up front finally starting to shake out, a tremendous battle for 5th place position was brewing in behind as Beleskey and #16 Bryan Penny would exchange that position on successive laps, with Beleskey finally coming out on top in his fast #12 Malibu. Beleskey, would soon find the bumper of Semple for 4th. with Penny also filling the opening and able to enter the top 5 with a clean pass of Semple. Beleskey, would soon take third from Goggins, and with 3 laps remaining the driver would move to 2nd, as the former 2 time track champ used lapped traffic to work around the 37 of Sikes along the high line while keeping his counterpart pinned to the apron. It was clear this race would belong to the silky smooth Gignac however, as the longtime division veteran would record the win by 3 car lengths over an oncoming Beleskey at the checkered. Goggins, would execute a late race pass of Sikes to finish 3rd, with Sikes have a season best 4th place feature result, while Penny would round out the top 5.

Heat wins went to the impressive Sikes with a pair, Beleskey, and Penny.

In St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock action, it was #10 Doug Butler of New Lowell who claimed his 2nd feature win of the season in his always fast Nissan 240, Butler, would increase his slender point lead from 4 to 8 over defending track champion #77 Mike Gettliffe of Orillia, as the two drivers appear to be set once again to battle into the “dog days” of September to decide the 2014 titlist. #09 Dean Curry of Singhampton currently sits third in points on the strength of one feature win, as the veteran driver could also play a factor before the season has concluded now sitting just 23 in back of leader Butler. Speaking of Gettliffe, the former Thunder Car pilot would finish up the 20 lap main in the runner up post, with a returning #400 Justin Holmes rounding out the podium. #57 Ryan Toon would cap off a solid point night of his own with a season best 4th place feature finish, while Curry would come to the stripe in the 5th place position.

Heat wins were recorded by Butler with a pair, Toon, and Curry.

PIT NOTES —————- A familiar face would return to the Thunder Car ranks as #22 Chris Callow would take a turn behind the wheel of the #22 Monte Carlo normally campaigned by an ailing Jason Elliott. Callow, a former feature winner in the division, would turn in some impressive results after a 9 year absence from behind the wheel with 4th and 5th place heat race results, also coming home with a top 10 feature finish. Speaking of returning drivers, as mentioned earlier #400 Justin Holmes would make his return to the Pure Stock ranks after a off season foot injury. The promising upstart Holmes would not miss a beat in finishing 2nd and 3rd in his two heat races, while also turning in a 3rd place feature finish, after starting outside pole and leading for the first 17 laps by as much as a full straightaway until the race’s only caution would appear. Be sure to join us this coming Saturday June 7 as all three divisions are back in action on Progressive Waste Solutions Night as the drivers and fans honor Neil Green a former employee of the company, who also spent time as a track employee for several seasons.. Pit gates open at 2pm, with spectator gates open at 5pm, and green flag slated to drop at 6:30pm sharp!!! THIS WILL BE ONE YOU JUST CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS!!!

By Dave Vokey – Barrie, ON – Mother nature would bless Barrie Speedway drivers and fans alike with a picturesque day for racing on May 24, as sunny skies combined with a beautiful breeze were the backdrop for night three of the 2014 race season. The biggest story to form on the night came in the Wahta Springs Late Model division, as #00 Darryl St. Onge of Barrie would record the win in the 30 lap finale to the evening, recording his first career victory in the track’s premier division in the process. St. Onge, the 2009 Thunder Car track champion would lead flag to flag after starting from the outside pole position, having to fend off a late race charge from 2013 division champ #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station. Speaking of Shepherd, he would go to victory lane in the first 30 lap feature on the evening, further extending a streak that has seen the steady wheelman finish no worse than 2nd covering six feature races thus far in 2014.

In the initial 30 lap affair, it was #44 Rob Bromley of Orillia who moved out front early after gaining the advantage on #27 “Smilin” Sam Reckzin from the drop of the green. Reckzin, would quickly find himself trapped to the high side, as the duo of #24 Leonard “The Bandit” Johnston and #49 “Flyin” Frank Davey filed through along the inside line to land in 2nd and 3rd respectively just a couple laps in. On lap 5, Davey would have a look to the inside of Johnston in an attempt to wrestle away runner up positioning, as Johnston would battle back on the high side to eventually catch up with the leader Bromley in what was a great dice in the early stages. Perhaps, the early laps on the outside would catch up with the sleek looking 24 machine of Johnston, as Davey would finally slip past and into 2nd, leading the way for Shepherd to follow, after the latter charged from his 11th place starting position to claim 3rd place just shy of the 10 lap mark. On lap 11, the first lead change would occur, as Davey would snatch the lead from Bromley with a smooth low pass in turn 1, as Shepherd would in turn follow that move to take over 2nd, just a single car length behind leader Davey.

The first caution would appear right at the midway point, as #69 Al “Red Rocket” Inglis would slow after contact on the backstretch ended his race early. Also hitting pit road and done for the race was the 24 of Johnston, who saw a strong run end with mechanical failure. On the restart, Shepherd was quick to power past Davey on the outside line to assume the race lead, with the veteran driver quickly opening up a 3 car length advantage at the front of the field. At his point in the race the best battle on track was now the race for 3rd, as #83 Ian Bourque and #31 Rick Walt began to duel for that position, with Bourque temporarily taking the spot, while a little further in back #12 Dwight Brown was also in the mix, entering the top 5 after the talented veteran would start 10th in the 13 car grid. After another caution period, Shepherd would power out front once again, as Bourque would slide through along the inside line to capture 2nd from Davey who was now locked in a dogfight for third with Walt and Brown. Walt, wold eventually dive to the inside of turn two and execute a cunning three wide move to the low side of Davey and Brown to land in 3rd, with slight contact made with Davey along the way. On lap 27, Davey would see what was easily his strongest Late Model race to date come to an unfortunate end, as the driver would cut a tire and come to rest against the turn 1 wall. This would set up a three lap shootout involving Shepherd and Bourque from the front row, as Shepherd once again moved to the point, with Walt now in 2nd after passing Bourque on the inside line on exit of turn two. On the last lap, Brown would also pass Bourque for position, but it was clear this way Shepherd’s race to lose, as the driver would hit all his marks over the duration, to record the win by 2 car lengths over a determined Walt at the finish. Brown, would get his evening kick started nicely with a solid 3rd place effort, while Bourque and #91 Andre Pepin would comprise the remainder of the top 5.

In the 30 lap finale to the evening, as mentioned earlier it was the 00 of St. Onge who quickly moved out front after disposing of pole sitter Johnston after a tough and clean battle over the first three laps of the race. Also making his presence felt near the front of the field was the 69 of Inglis, as the wily veteran would power around the outside of Johnston entering turn one on lap 4. The Inglis move would open up the necessary room for Walt to relieve Johnston of third, also a pass completed on the high line of the racetrack. At the front of the field, St. Onge was holding Inglis at bay, completing laps of the 1/3rd mile tri oval configuration in an impressive 14.9 seconds while opening up a two car length lead, while Inglis sat comfortably in the runner up post, with Walt, Johnston, and Davey rounding out the top 5 just beyond the 10 lap mark.

Nearing the midway point, the man on the move was the 10 of Shepherd, as the talented pilot would complete a pass of Davey for 5th with a clean inside move in turn one. Shepherd’s charge towards the front would not end there however, as the driver would soon complete a pass of Johnston low in turn three on lap 15, while a little further in back Davey was coming under heavy fire from the 12 of Brown in the race for 6th, with Davey holding firm and being able to maintain the spot. Another driver on the move was now the 31 of Walt, who relieved Inglis of 2nd, with the latter then falling back into the clutches of Shepherd who soon took third with a clean outside pass midway down the backstretch. With the all the tight racing in behind him leader St. Onge began to increase his lead with each passing lap, now holding a half straightaway lead over the Walt/Shepherd duel forming in behind him, with Shepherd now moving into 2nd with a inside pass of Walt with just three laps remaining. Over the duration of the race, the staunch lead St. Onge had built up would just prove too much for the oncoming Shepherd to overcome, as St. Onge paraded to victory by 5 car lengths at the finish. Shepherd, would cap off a solid point night with a runner up finish, while Walt, Inglis, and Johnston would round out the fast five.

In Triple Sick Skin Tattoo Thunder Car action, it was #00 Luke Gignac of Port McNicholl who went to victory lane in the 30 lap main, marking his second feature win of the season in just three feature races. The race would begin with #55 Shawn Goggins moving to the point early, after gaining the advantage on #7 Joel Hamilton from the drop of the green. Also on the move early was the duo of #64 Ryan Semple and #21 Desi Walt, as that pair would check into 2nd and 3rd respectively after filing past the 7 of Hamilton along the inside line. Another driver to watch in the early going was #16 Bryan Penny as the division sophomore would split a gaggle of traffic in turn two to claim 4th on the runner order. On lap 7, Penny would make a slight slip up in turn 2, as the driver would drift high in that corner as the duo of #22 Jason Elliott and Gignac would slip past, dropping Penny back to sixth in the running order. At the front of the pack, Goggins was holding a slender lead on the 21 of Walt who had made her way past the 64 of Semple just a couple laps prior to assume runner up positioning. Semple, would quickly fall back into the clutches of the duo of Elliott and Gignac who both worked their way past their fellow competitor along the inside line in turn two.

Approaching the midway mark, the strong #16 Monte Carlo SS of Penny was once again putting on a charge, passing Semple in turn two to take control of 5th place. Penny, would soon find himself locked in another tight duel, as last weeks feature winner #12 Jim “Polish Prince” Beleskey would pass his counterpart with an impressive low move midway down the backstretch. On lap 21, the lead duo of Goggins and Walt would encounter heavy lapped traffic, with Elliott and Gignac closing in on that pair as the laps began to wind down. On lap 22, Elliott would give the 21 of Walt a knock out of turn 2, quickly grabbing the inside line to take over 2nd place. The first caution would appear on lap 24, when rookie driver #3 Jim Morrison would spin in turn 3. On the restart, Goggins and Elliott would battle door to door for the race lead, with Gignac taking over 3rd from Walt and then working to the inside of Elliott to advance to second in the running order. On lap 26, the caution flag again would appear when Elliott tried to pass Gignac to the inside on exit of turn 2, with Elliott having to get hard on the brakes to avoid spinning Gignac after slight contact was made between the pair. This turn of events would force the field to check up and scramble, as the 12 of Beleskey would spin the 21 of Walt as a result of the action up ahead, with both Beleskey and Walt send to the rear deemed involved cars. On the ensuing restart, Gignac would power into the race lead around the outside of Goggins, who was in turn passed by the 16 of Penny for runner up positioning. Goggins, would actually get crossways out of turn two forcing a pile up along the backstretch that would collect Semple, Walt, and #11 Adam Misener.. With two laps remaining, Gignac would again find the race lead, with Elliott checking into second and Goggins and Penny locked in a duel for third. Goggins, would once again get partially crossways out of turn 2, forcing Penny to have a slight brush with the wall on the exit of that corner while running on the high side, thus halting Penny’s march towards podium positioning.. It was clear this race would belong to Gignac however, as the longtime division veteran would record the win by a slender margin over Elliott at the checkered. Goggins, would match a career best feature result in coming home 3rd, while Penny and #37 Robbie Sikes would round out the top 5.

Heat race wins went to Gignac, Elliott, Beleskey, and Walt.

In the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock division, it was the defending track champion #77 Mike Gettliffe of Orillia who would record the victory in the 25 lap feature for his first feature win of 2014. The race would begin with #18 Tim Gagne moving out front, closely pursued by the duo of #24 Richard Butler and #3 Randi Seguin. An early caution would fly just a few laps in when #88 Charlie Smith would catch fire entering turn 3, bringing about the season’s first red flag. Unfortunately the 3 of Seguin would hit pit road at this point, with her evening done as the victim of mechanical gremlins. On the restart, it would be #68 Brandon Crumbie who took the race lead, after a daring 3 wide move, splitting the duo of Gagne and Butler in turn two. After another early caution, Crumbie was once again in control, with Butler making a nice inside move in turn 3 to take over 2nd from Gagne as an alert #06 Ryan Hardy would follow that pass to notch 3rd in the running order. Also on the move on lap 5 was the 77 of Gettliffe, as the driver charged from his 12th place starting position to pass Hardy for third after an impressive dice between the two drivers.

Gettliffe, would then file past the 24 of Butler to assume 2nd place shortly after, while race leader Crumbie was steadily pacing the field with laps in the 16.8 second range. Gettliffe. would soon close to within a car length, while a little further in back #09 Dean Curry would execute a pass on Bulter inside of turn one to advance to 3rd. On lap 13, Gettliffe would make the winning move, passing Crumbie on the inside line, while a little further in back 2013 division runner up #10 Doug Butler was beginning to make noise, passing father Richard to move into 4th place. Butler, would then dispose of Curry for third, getting to the inside of his fellow competitor in turn 4, and completing the pass as the duo raced into turn 1 just a short while later. Butler, would then close in on Crumbie with 3 laps remaining, quickly taking over runner up positioning with a low pass in turn 2. Unfortunately for Butler with laps would run out before he could find the back bumper of the steady race leader Gettliffe, as the latter would record the win by 2 car lengths over Butler at the checkered. #68 Brandon Crumbie would finish the race in 3rd, with Curry, and #57 Ryan Toon comprising the rest of the top 5. Unfortunately, Crumbie would get caught up in the post race technical inspection for his ride being a little too light, bringing Curry to 3rd, Toon to 4th, with Richard Butler slotting into the 5th place position.

Heat wins went to Gettliffe and Doug Butler with a pair each.

PIT NOTES ———- A new yet somewhat familiar face would make his 2014 debut in the Wahta Springs Late Models, as #5 “The Hulkamaniac” Mike Langley would make his first start of the season in his newly prepared Dodge Charger. Langley, would adjust to the new whip nicely, keeping a clean car under him all night long en route to 11th and 12th place feature results.. Barrie Pure Stock competitor #06 Ryan Hardy would also take to the track Friday night at the newly renovated Full Throttle Motor Speedway, recording a 7th place finish in the feature event. Be sure to join us this coming Saturday May 31st when all three divisions are back in action to round out the season’s first month of competition.. Pit gates are open at 2pm, with spectator gates commencing for business at 5pm and green flag slated to drop at 6:30pm sharp!!!

By Dave Vokey – For the second week in a row cooler temperatures would greet the Barrie Speedway faithful on Whelen Engineering Night on May 17, as the evenings big winners in the Wahta Springs Late Model division were #12 Dwight Brown of Beeton and #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station, as each driver would capture a 30 lap feature win. The win for Brown comes after an 8 year absence from the track, as the talented wheelman is returning to the track for a full season in 2014 after several successful years campaigning at Mosport Speedway in Bowmanville, while Shepherd would also rattle off his first victory of 2014 after amassing 9 feature wins last season, in which the division veteran captured his 2nd Late Model track championship.

In the first 30, it was #27 “Smilin” Sam Reckzin of North Bay who captured the early lead after winning the duel with #44 Rob Bromley of Orillia from the drop of the green. Slotting to the 2nd place position early was 2010 track champ #69 Al “Red Rocket” Inglis of Orillia, as the talented wheelman would pass Bromley along the inside line just a couple laps in, with the move opening up room for Brown to alertly follow through to claim third in the running order. On lap 4, the first caution would appear as division rookie #00 Darryl St. Onge of Barrie would brush the outside retaining wall as he was set to enter turn one, with St. Onge getting sideways and catching a piece of #83 Ian Bourque of Newmarket, sending Bourque for a spin, with both drivers summoned arrears deemed involved cars. On the restart, Inglis would snatch the lead from Reckzin while running the outside line, with again Brown following the Inglis move to claim runner up positioning. The best battle on track was now the race for 4th, as Shepherd would wrestle that spot away from #31 Rick Walt of Hawkestone with an inside pass on exit of turn 2. On the very next lap, Walt would accidentially get into the back of Shepherd between turns 1&2, sending both drivers spinning and retiring Walt for the duration as the driver was encountering motor problems.

With the race set to go green again, Brown would assume the race lead getting past Inglis on the outside of turn 2 on the restart, with Bourque also now back near the front in third, and closing in on the bumper of Inglis just beyond the 10 lap mark. Brown, would quickly open up a 5 car length lead over Inglis while clicking off laps in the 14.7 second range, with Bourque giving Inglis a nudge in turn 2, looking to open up racing room to take over 2nd, but eventually being unable to make the move work as the wily Inglis held firm to maintain the spot. Nearing the 20 lap mark, the car to watch was now the 10 of Shepherd, who took over 4th place from St. Onge, quickly finding the bumper of Bourque and taking over third with turn an inside move in turn 1. On lap 24, Shepherd would take over the runner up post with an outisde line pass in turn two, after working Inglis over for a couple laps prior. It was clear that Brown was home and cooled out over the duration however, as he would easily record the victory by a half straightaway over Shepherd at the checkered. Inglis, would get his night kick started nicely with a strong 3rd place showing, with Bourque and St. Onge rounding out the top 5.

In the 30 lap finale to the evening, it was again Reckzin who found the point early as #24 Leonard “The Bandit” Johnston slotted into 2nd along the inside of the 44 of Bromley. Johnston, would then dispose of Reckzin for the race lead on lap three with a clean inside move between turns 3&4, with an alert Inglis claiming 2nd from Reckzin just one lap later. Reckzin, would find himself trapped to the high side and was shuffled back in the running order by the trio of Bourque, Brown, and Walt nearing the 10 lap mark. At this point in the race the best battle on track was now the race for 6th involving Shepherd and St. Onge, as Shepherd would assume that spot with a low side pass in turn three, after a very hard fought battle from the game St. Onge. At the front of the pack, Johnston was still holding onto the lead with laps in the 15.1 second range, with Inglis pinned to his bumper all the while and searching for a way past, while further in back Walt would take over 3rd from Brown after executing a bump and run move on the inside of turn four.

On lap 24, Walt would continue his charge towards the front of the pack, taking over second from Inglis with a low move on the exit of turn two. Walt, would quickly find the back bumper of leader Johnston a short while later, and on lap 26 he would pull alongside the leader out of turn 4 with the two drivers now racing door to door down the frontstretch. Unfortunately the two drivers would collide while entering turn one, with Johnston sent careening through the infield grass and an alert job done by the field who checked up to avoid the prone Johnston ride, with both Johnston and Walt sent to the tail of the field as involved cars. This turn of events would totally reshuffle the front row to now comprise of Inglis and Shepherd, with the two veteran drivers set to do battle for a 4 lap shootout to determine the outcome, as Shepherd quickly powered past along the outer groove, relegating Inglis to 2nd. Once out front the 10 of Shepherd has proved tough to pass and that scenario would once again play out here, as Shepherd would record the win by 2 car lengths over Inglis at the stripe. Brown, would cap off a solid point night in coming home 3rd, while St. Onge and Bourque would comprise the remainder of the top five.

In Triple Sick Skin Tattoo Thunder Car action, it was #12 Jim “Polish Prince” Beleskey of Carthew Bay who would take home the win in the 30 lap main. Beleskey, a former two time division champ would take the lead on the opening lap from his outside pole starting position, passing pole sitter #7 Joel Hamilton of Orillia en route to leading the entire distance of the race. Beleskey, would have fight off a stern challenge from week one winner #00 Luke Gignac of Port McNicholl over the second half of the race as the duo rapidly worked their way through lapped traffic, with Gignac holding on to finish a very game second. #22 Jason Elliott of Angus would earn a workmanlike 3rd place showing, as the talented driver is returning to the track for his first full time campaign since the 2009 season. Rookie of the Year contender #10 Jordan Latimer would finish a career best 4th after only racing a handful of races last season, and continues to impress every inch of the way during his first full time Barrie season. #11 Adam Misener, also a division rookie would finish 5th, also recording a career best Thunder Car finish in his very sharp and unique looking 63 Impala.

Heat wins went to Beleskey, Gignac, Elliott, and #16 Bryan Penny.

In the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock division, it was #09 Dean Curry of Singhampton who would record the victory in the 25 lap feature to cap off his “hat trick” for the evening after a pair of earlier heat race wins. Curry, would take the lead from the outside pole position from the drop of the green, after gaining the advantage on #10 Doug Butler of New Lowell. Butler, would have to fight off a race long challenge from defending track champ #77 Mike Gettliffe of Orillia, as the two drivers treated the fans to a display of tough and clean short track racing for the entire race, with Butler eventually taking the runner up spot and Gettliffe coming home in third. #63 Jamie Cairns or Orillia would continue his stellar start to the 2014 campaign coming home in 4th, while #57 Ryan Toon of Stayner would better his week one finish by one position in rounding out the fast five.

Heat wins went to Curry with a pair, Butler and Gettliffe.

PIT NOTES ——— A number of new drivers would roll through the pits to compete in week 2 action as #18 Jay Cutting of Holland Landing and # 67 “Rockin” Rick Santagato of Bracebridge would make their first starts of the season in the Triple Sick Skin Thunder Cars, as Cutting would record a very impressive 7th place in his 2014 Barrie debut, with Santagato finishing up 12th in the 14 car field. The newcomers would not be limited to the Thunder Cars however, as #71 “Scrap Iron” Pete Gettliffe of Mactier, #29 Ray LaHay of Orillia, and #00 Joe Dunlop of Barrie would all make their first Barrie appearances of 2014. Of the group, Gettliffe the father of defending division champ Mike would record the best feature race result with a 11th place finish in a strong 21 car field, while LaHay would finish his first feature start in 18th place, while Dunlop would suffer mehanical misfortune in warm ups and wasn’t able to take the green in any of the evening’s races.

Be sure to join us this coming Saturday May 24 as all three regular divisions are back in action as well as the one and only Barrie Speedway stop of the 2014 season for the Ontario Legends Series who brought an impressive 18 cars to their season opener this past weekend at Peterbouough Speedway, as defending series champ #14 Nick Ledson went to victory lane and leads a strong contingent of drivers set to invade the High Line for their second race of the season. Pit gates open at 1pm, with spectator gates open for business at 5pm, and green flag slated to drop at 6pm sharp. If this past weekend’s Barrie Speedway action is any indication this will prove to be a can’t miss event!!!

By Dave Vokey – Barrie Speedway would kick off its 50th Anniversary season in fine style on May 10, as the evening’s cooler temperatures were made to order, producing a viable outside line for the feature events. Speaking of those features, in the tracks premier Wahta Springs Late Model division it was #83 Ian Bourque of Newmarket who powered a brand new car to victory lane in the first of twin 30 lap features, while #91 Andre Pepin of Midland would take the finale to the evening, after holding off a late race charge from the defending track champion #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station, who would also finish 2nd in the initial 30 lap affair.

In the first feature it was Bourque who would draw the optimal pole position in his sleek looking, newly prepared ride with the defending track Thunder Car champion #31 Rick Walt taking to the outside of the front row and set to battle, as the two drivers went wheel to wheel throughout the opening laps, with Pepin checking comfortably into third. Bourque, would clear Walt by lap three, with Pepin also now in the mix, challenging Walt for runner up positioning but unable to make a pass stick, while just a little further in behind the action was just as fast and furious for 4th in a duel involving #69 Al “Red Rocket” Inglis of Orillia and #49 “Flyin” Frank Davey of River Drive Park.

Approaching the ten lap mark, the man on the move was the 10 of Shepherd, as he would make a power move along the outside of turn 4, pinning both Davey and Inglis to the apron of the track, and completing the pass for 4th as the trio exited turn two. Also on the move throughout the race was #12 Dwight Brown of Beeton who started shotgun in the 13 car field, and found himself running in 6th at the midway point. At the front of the pack, Bourque was running comfortable laps just a shade over the 15 second mark, holding Walt at bay, while the best battle on track was shaping up just outside of the top 5, involving Inglis, #24 Leonard “The Bandit” Johnston of Bracebridge and #00 Darryl St. Onge of Barrie. The race’s only caution would come about on lap 20, as #44 Rob Bromley of Orillia and #28 Robin Jongen of Kilworthy could collide in turn two, with Bromley sending Jongen for a spin, thus setting the stage for another Bourque and Walt battle on the restart.

Once again it would be Bourque who would dispose of Walt for the race lead after a two lap dice on the restart, as Shepherd was now putting the pressure on Pepin for 3rd, completing an inside pass in turn four on lap 24. Just two laps later, Shepherd would catch up with former stablemate Walt in the race for 2nd, with Shepherd executing a clean pass in turn three to take over that position. At this point in the race, it was apparent Bourque was home and cooled out at the front of the pack, as the steady veteran driver would take the win by two car lengths over an oncoming Shepherd at the finish. Walt, would get his rookie season kick started nicely with a strong third place showing, while Pepin and Brown would round out the top 5.

The second feature would see an inversion of the top four, as Pepin took to the pole position with Walt once again taking to the outside of the front row, as Pepin would power out to the initial lead, with Walt having to fend off a staunch challenge from Shepherd, as an early caution would appear on lap 3, when the 00 of St. Onge went around on the nose of the 24 of Johnston in turn two. Once again Pepin would find the point from the drop of the green, as Walt now had his hands full with Shepherd in the race for 2nd, with Walt being able to fend off his fellow competitor while hanging tough along the outside line. On lap 5, former multi time Mosport open wheel Modified champ Brown would slip past Bourque, with a nifty inside move in turn two to take over 4th in the running order, with Bourque now trapped to the high side and in turn passed be the duo of Davey and Inglis just one lap later. Just beyond the ten lap mark, Shepherd would finally work his way past Walt, with a clean inside move in turn three, as Brown would alertly follow that move into 3rd, with Walt finding the inside line and checking into the fourth place position.

Nearing the midway point the best battle was the race for 5th, as the trio of former 4 time track Thunder Car champ Davey and Jongen waged an impressive dice for that position, as Davey was able to remain calm and collected enough to fend off the challenge of Jongen, while a little further in back of that duel, Bourque and Inglis were waging war for 7th, exchanging that position on successive laps, with Inglis coming out the victor when all was said and done. At the front of the pack, Pepin was working lapped traffic, completing laps of the one third mile tri oval in 15.3 seconds, keeping Shepherd at bay by 2 car lengths in the battle for the point. Pepin, would appear to be on cruise control over the duration, as the third year pilot would capture the win by those same two car lengths over Shepherd at the checkered, while Brown, Walt, and Davey would comprise the remainder of the top 5.

The Triple Sick Skin Tattoo Thunder Car division would produce the feel good story of the night as longtime division veteran #00 Luke Gignac of Port McNicholl would capture the win in the 30 lap main. The win for the popular Gignac, was his first feature victory in 8 years, a race that ironically enough also came in the season’s first week. Gignac, who this year is campaigning the 2009 championship Pontiac Grand Prix formerly in the hands of Darryl St. Onge, would find a tough early challenger in the form of division sophomore #16 Bryan Penny of Thornton, as the two drivers battled door to door for the first five laps, when Gignac would finally clear Penny to assume the race lead. Penny, would fall back into the clutches of former two time track champ #12 Jim “Polish Prince” Belesky soon after, as Belesky would slot into runner up positioning along the inside line. The ever game Penny would not be denied on this night however, quickly manuvering past Belesky after a lap 7 restart, with an impressive inside pass midway down the backstretch. Leader Gignac was “foot to the floor” in completing laps in the 15.9 second range, now holding a 3 car length lead over the impressive Penny, who had to fend off one last ditch effort by Belesky coming out of turn 4 on the final lap. Gignac, would maintain a healthy lead en route to the checkered, with Penny just nipping Belesky at the line in the race for second. #21 Desi Walt of Hawkestone would return from a one year hiatus to record an impressive 4th place showing, while speedway newcomer #64 Ryan Semple of Loretto would also impress in his Barrie debut in finishing fifth.

Heat wins went to Gignac, Penny, Belesky, and Walt.

In St. Onge Recreation Pure Stock action, a familiar face would return to the winners circle as #10 Doug Butler of New Lowell would charge from his 4th place starting spot in the 19 car field to notch victory in the 20 lap feature race. Butler, the division runner up last year in a season when he amassed 4 feature wins, would be top qualifier on the night, as #06 Ryan Hardy of Markdale and defending track champ #77 Mike Gettliffe of Orillia battled throughout the early stages from the front row, with Gettliffe finally powering our front after a lap 4 restart. Hardy, was soon passed but Butler’s Nissan 240 for 2nd place, with #09 Dean Curry of Singhampton, and #63 Jamie Cairns of Orillia also beginning to pressure Hardy, as the duo would slip though along the inside line to check into 3rd and 4th respectively. On lap 12, Butler would make the winning move, working around Gettliffe on the outside of turn four, with the best battle on track now the race for 5th, as Hardy was fending off challenges from the duo of #57 Rayn Toon of Stayner and #28 JP Rosevear of Mount Albert. Once out front, as was proven last year the hard charging Butler can prove tough, if not impossible to pass he would record the win by 3 car lengths over a very game Gettliffe at the stripe. #09 Dean Curry would start his season off on solid footing with a 3rd place effort, while Cairns and Hardy round round out the top 5.

Heat wins went to Butler, Gettliffe, Hardy, and #88 Jeremy McLean.

PIT NOTES ————- The Wahta Springs Late Models would see the return of #12 Dwight Brown, who last campaigned at the High Line during the 2006 season. Brown, who went to victory lane in his last Barrie appearance, holds multiple Open Wheel Modified and Late Model championships at the former Mosport Speedway, and should present a strong challenge towards defending track champ Gord Shepherd, if he elects to remain at the speedway for the entire 2014 season. Two more veteran drivers that also figure to play a factor in any title suggestions are #83 Ian Bourque and #69 Al Inglis, with both these drivers also having both Barrie and Mosport titles to their resume, with Inglis also having a Kawartha Speedway Late Model crown to his credit. With these four grizzled veterans entering their names in the 2014 title chase, expect the on track action highly intense and like no other in the province, and when you factor in promising upstarts the likes of Pepin, Walt, Johnston, and St. Onge there is no clear cut reason not to be at Barrie Speedway to check out the thrilling Late Model action first hand!!!

2012 Pure Stock division runner up Adam Misener of North Bay would debut his sharp looking 63 Impala in the Thunder Car ranks and turn in some impressive results in the process, turning in 4th and 5th place heat race finishes to go with a somewhat surprising 6th place feature showing. Be sure to join us this coming Sat May 17th when all three divisions are back in action for week two. as pit gates open at 1pm, with spectator gates commencing business at 5pm, and green flag slated to drop at 6pm sharp!!!

By Dave Vokey – Barrie Speedway would play host to several top notch drivers from around the province as the 3rd annual Garry Reynolds Memorial invitational took place on Sunday Sept 22, with cooler temperatures the order of the day setting the stage for a very racy track come feature time. Speaking of those features, it was former 2 time Barrie titlist #48 Dwayne Baker who went to victory lane in the featured 100 lap event for the Late Models, while division sophomore #39 Travis “The Enforcer” Hallyburton led flag to flag in the 60 lap Thunder Car main, with provincial heavyweight #10 Doug Butler of New Lowell turning the trick in the 30 lap Pure Stock feature.

In the Late Model division a strong 32 car contingent would align the pits to qualify for just 26 spots, as top qualifier and 2 time defending race champion #51 Mike Bentley of Guelph would draw the pole position for the crown jewel event. Bentley, would rocket out to the initial lead, with outside pole sitter and former Barrie competitor #88 Scott Beatty of Barrie alertly finding the inside line to land in 2nd, with 2013 Barrie track champ #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station powering past #24 Nick Goetz of Saugeen Shores on the outside line to claim third in the early stages. The best early battle forming was the race for 7th involving #41 Taylor Holdaway of Orillia and #34 Ron “The Dominator” Quesnelle of Penetang, as Holdaway would take the spot after a hard fought tooth and nail dice. Also on the move in the early going was the 48 of Baker, as the grizzled veteran would charge from his 11th place starting spot to land in 9th after working past #36 Gary “Iron Man” Elliott of Waterdown on lap 8. At the front of the field the action began to heat up on lap 13, as Shepherd would have a brief look to the inside of Beatty for 2nd, with Bentley setting sail and now clear of that battle be nearly a half straightaway while completing laps in the 15.1 second range while working and weaving his way through heavy lapped traffic. Shepherd, would eventually complete an inside pass of Beatty for runner up positioning with a clean inside move entering turn three, setting his sights on the dominant Bentley at the front of the field.

Nearing lap 30, the top five was comprised of Bentley, Shepherd, Beatty, Goetz, and 8 time Barrie feature winner #14 “Hurricane” Thayne Hallyburton of Hillsdale. At this point in the race the car to watch was the hard charging 48 of Baker who had worked his way to 7th position, using the outer groove to pick off one position at a time. Baker, would continue his charge towards the front, when on lap 33 he would power past Holdaway with an impressive move to the inside in turn 3. Nearing the midway mark, Bentley was still setting a torrid pace at the front of the field, holding a full straightaway lead on the 2nd place car of Shepherd as the duo were clicking off laps in the 15.3 second range, while still working heavy lapped traffic. Meanwhile Baker was continuing to pick off one position at a time, as the steady wheelman would complete a pass of Hallyburton to claim 4th, after Hallyburton had just worked around the 24 of Goetz a few laps prior to take that position. A mandatory caution period would come at lap 50, with the race surprisingly caution free up until that point, as 13 cars remained on the lead lap at this point in the race. The caution would not be a welcome sight for the 36 of Elliott, who seen a top 10 run end with over heating issues during his stop on pit road at this point in the race.

When the race went green again the duo of Bentley and Shepherd went wheel to wheel for the race lead, with Bentley finally clearing Shepherd after an impressive 2 lap dice. Shepherd, would remain trapped to the high side as Baker would charge to runner up positioning along the inside line between turns 1&2 on lap 54, this just after Baker had worked way by the 88 of Beatty after the restart. Also on the move towards the front was the 41 of Holdaway once again, as the promising upstart would pass Goetz for 6th, and then Hallyburton for fifth with a nifty low move in between turns 1&2, quite the impressive accomplishment for the young Holdaway who was making his first career Barrie appearance. On lap 62, attrition began to take its toll as #70 Tom Gibbons of Port Elgin would retire to pit road for the evening after a brush against the frontstretch wall, ending a strong run that had the Sauble Speedway veteran just outside of the top 10. On lap 65, the race for 5th place position was the one to watch, as Hallyburton and Goetz would exchange that spot on successive laps, with Holdaway now fast on the move from 4th and closing in on the lead trio of Bentley, Baker, and Shepherd, who were separated by about a half straightaway, with Bentley holding a 2 car length lead on Baker with equal distance back to the 10 of Shepherd. Baker, looked just as if he was about to wrestle the lead away from Bentley, when the first race condition caution flew on lap 72 as #6 Lane Zardo of Brampton spun in turn four.

With twelve cars remaining on the lead lap at this point the restart wouldn’t go well when a gaggle of cars collected while approaching the flagstand as #72 Jr Farelly of Guelph got crossways, as #89 Shawn Chenoweth of Plattsville, #17 Nick Roth of Baden, #74 Roy Manary of Gravenhurst, and #5 Mike “The Hulkamaniac” Langley of Orr Lake all got collected, with Roth being the only casualty and unable to continue. It was on the ensuing restart the only lead change would occur, as Baker would claim the lead on the outside after a tough two lap dice with the 51 of Bentley. Baker, would soon open up a two car length advantage at the front of the field, with a further three lengths back to the 10 of Shepherd, who was now coming under heavy fire from the 41 of Holdaway in the battle for third in the running order. Just outside of the top 5, the action was just as intense, as the 24 of Goetz would claim 6th place after passing #37 Marvin Freiburger of Walkerton with a clean inside move in turn 1 on lap 80. Just a short while later, Holdaway would pass Shepherd for third, as Hallyburton tried to fill the hole along the low side to move into 4th, but Shepherd would remain game on the high side and was able to maintain that position. Over the duration, Baker would quicken the pace at the front of the field, completing laps in the 14.9 second range while racing in clean air, thus increasing his lead over Bentley with each passing lap. Baker, would parade on to take the win by just over a 3 second margin over Bentley at the checkered, as Holdaway, Shepherd, and Hallyburton would comprise the remainder of the fast five. Goetz, would have an impressive run in his Barrie debut in finishing 6th, with Freiburger, Beatty, #43 Darin Malcolm of North Bay, and Quesnelle rounding out the top 10.

In the Thunder Car division, 27 cars would take to the track set to do battle as Barrie regular #39 Travis Hallyburton would draw the optimal pole position, from which he rocketed out to the early lead as #00 Darryl St. Onge would find the inside line on the opening lap under #37 Brian Murray as the two drivers went door to door for a couple laps with neither driver gaining the clear cut advantage. Further in back the duo of #10 Rick Walt and #44 Dave “The Deuce” Doucette were also lurking landing in 4th and 5th respectively after working past former 2 time track champ #12 Jim “Polish Prince” Belesky on lap four. Hallyburton, would build up a half straightaway lead at the front of the field early on, with St. Onge and Murray still locked side by side in behind when the race’s first caution came about on lap 7 as #8 Paul Bogensburger and #11 Kent Constable collided while racing into turn 1. At this point in the race, the staunch St. Onge ride would surprisingly hit pit road with mechanical issues, but the 2009 track champ was able to continue the race from the rear of the field as the green was set to fly. On the restart, Hallyburton would move out to a marginal lead, with the 10 of Walt moving to the inside line and passing Murray for 2nd on exit of turn two, leading the way for the 44 of Doucette to follow a short while later, leaving Murray locked in a wheel to wheel battle with the 12 of Belesky for 4th, in a duel eventually won by Belesky. On lap 16, the action near the front of the field began to heat up once again, as Doucette relieved Walt of 2nd with a clean pass to the low side of turn two.

At the front of the pack Hallyburton was still looking calm and collected, hitting all his marks with laps in the 16.3 second range while working lapped traffic, with Walt giving Doucette a knock out of turn 4 and pulling along the inside line as the two drivers waged an all out war for runner up positioning, in a battle very reminiscent of the week prior when the two drivers decided the Barrie title in a 1-2 finish. The second caution came about on lap 24, as #16 Bryan Penny would spin midway down the backstretch and tag the inside retaining wall along the way. Hitting pit road at this point in the race was #36 Ken Grubb of Sauble Speedway, relinquishing his top ten positioning as the race was set to go green once again. Hallyburton, would again move out to the race lead over Doucette on the restart, as Doucette used the outside line to maintain enough grip to eventually slot down in front of Walt in second. Approaching lap 30, the best battle on track was the race for 6th, as #30 Todd Davenport and #07 Dan Archibald waged an impressive dice for that position, with Davenport eventually coming out ahead. On lap 32, Davenport would continue his progression, passing Murray for 5th when the third caution appeared as #00x Joe Adams of Owen Sound slowed along the backstretch with transmission troubles, wiping out the 3 car length lead Hallyburton was holding over Doucette at the front of the pack.

When the race went green once again, Hallyburton continued to set a torrid pace, completing circuits of the one third mile tri oval in 15.7 seconds, holding Doucette at bay while further in back the battle for 7th was really heating up as St. Onge, Archibald, and #9 Kevin Reynolds were racing covered by a blanket for that position. St. Onge, would soon send Archibald around in turn 4, as Reynolds would hit the infield with what turned out to be terminal throttle issues. The next caution would fly on lap 46, when 2013 Peterborough Speedway champion #40 Donny Beatty went around entering turn one, after the field bunched up when #83 Rob Morrison hit the wall just underneath the flagstand. On the restart, Hallyburton remained poised, moving out to a single car length lead over Doucette, with St. Onge taking 6th from Murray inside of turn one. Murray, would soon find challenge to the outside from the 36 of Grubb, when the final caution flew as #21 “Flying” Bill Walt slowed along the frontstretch with motor troubles. Hallyburton, would once again move out front on the restart, this time Doucette wasn’t letting him get away inside of 5 laps remaining, as the wily veteran stayed pinned to Hallyburton’s bumper, while further in back St. Onge would execute a pass on Davenport to snatch away 5th in the running order. Over the duration, the top 5 positions would remain unchanged as it was a Barrie Speedway sweep of the top 5 at the line, with Hallyburton taking the breakthrough victory by a slender margin over Doucette at the line. The defending and current Barrie speedway champ Walt would continue his stellar season with a third place showing, while Belesky and St. Onge would round out the top 5.

Earlier heat wins went to Doucette, St. Onge, #36 Ken Grubb, and #9 Kevin Reynolds.. The win was especially significant for Reynolds, the brother of the man the race was being held in honor of 7 time Barrie champ Garry “The Gambler” Reynolds.

In Pure Stock action, 26 strong cars showed to do battle in the 30 lap feature as 2009 Barrie champ #26 Ben Melenhorst took the initial lead after getting the jump on 2013 Barrie titlist #77 Mike Gettliffe from the drop of the green. Soon following through under Gettliffe and into 2nd was 2013 Barrie runner up #10 Doug Butler, as the talented pilot soon set his sights on Melenhorst an a duel shaping up between Nissan 240s. Gettliffe, would soon find himself locked in a door to door duel with 2013 Varney Speedway champ #36 Cory Young for third, as a pair of Barrie cars #9 Charlie Smith and #400 Justin Holmes were running nip and tuck behind that duo. The first caution would appear when #11 Adam Misener would turn Smith on the exit of turn twoon lap 7, with #71x Chance Isherwood, #9 Dean Curry, and #17 Kevin Bridge also collected and piling into the prone Smith ride, as Curry, Misener, and Isherwood would all see their race’s end as a result of the contact. This turn of events would totally reshuffle up the positions nearing the front, as Melenhorst and Butler raced for two solid laps wheel to wheel at the front of the pack, with Bulter finally clearing his counterpart on lap 9, between turns 1&2, with Gettliffe taking 3rd from Young after a solid door to door battle of their own a little further in back of the leaders.

Nearing the midway mark, the man on the move was the 400 of Holmes, as the 3rd year driver landed in 4th, with Young and #64 Brandon McFerran exchanging 5th place positioning on successive laps a little further in behind. The 2nd and final caution flew on lap 13, when #73 Scott Schuelter spun on the exit of turn two, with Butler again taking control over Melenhorst on the restart, and a multi car battle shaping up just outside of the top 5 involving McFerran, #63 Jamie Cairns, Smith, and #88 Jeremy McLean. Smith, would take 7th from Cairns inside of turn one on lap 17, with Butler now holding a near half straightaway lead over Melenhorst at the front of the pack with solid laps in the 16.2 second range. Holmes, meanwhile would continue to make his mark, passing the 77 of Gettliffe for 3rd, with an inside move midway down the frontstretch, while further in back Smith would pass McFerran for 6th, while that duo raced out of turn 4. Over the duration, it was clear nobody had the power to find the back bumper of the impressive Butler Nissan, with Holmes having one last ditch look to the inside of Melenhorst while racing out of turn 4 on the final lap. Melenhorst, was able to fend off the Holmes challenge however, but Butler was already home and cooled as the silky smooth division veteran would easily record the win by 5 car lengths over Melenhorst at the checkered. Promising upstart Holmes would bring his Mustang home in 3rd, as Gettliffe and #36 Cory Young rounded out the fast five.

Earlier heat wins went to Smith with a pair, Butler, Holmes, Gettliffe, and #09 Dean Curry to complete a sweep of the heat races for the Barrie Speedway competitors.

By Dave Vokey – Barrie Speedway would see it’s 2013 title chase end in thrilling fashion on Sept 14, as cooler temperatures were the order of the evening, with ultra tight point battles in two of the three featured divisions setting the stage for the intense night of racing to come. In the track’s premier Wahta Springs Late Model division, 2009 track champ #10 Gord Shepherd of Oro Station need only take green in each leg of twin 50 lap features to secure his second Late Model title, and 4th career at the speedway. The Canestoga Property Maintenance Thunder Cars came into the evening with just 6 points separating a trio of former track champs, as defending champ #10 Rick Walt of Hawkestone held a narrow one point advantage over 2007 titlist #44 Dave “The Deuce” Doucette of Angus, while 2009 track champ #00 Darryl St. Onge of Barrie came in just 6 back of the division lead. Meanwhile in the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stocks, #10 Doug Butler of New Lowell held a scant 5 point advantage over #77 Mike Gettliffe of Orillia, as the two talented wheelman have battled nip and tuck throughout the last month of the season looking to claim their first career Barrie crowns.

In the first Late Model 50 lap affair, it was #74 Roy Manary of Gravenhurst who took the early lead after a solid three lap battle with pole sitter #5 Mike “The Hulkamaniac” Langley from the drop of the green. Also on the move early was a pair of division veterans, as #43 Darin Malcolm of North Bay and #83 Ian Bourque of Newmarket would check into 2nd and 3rd respectively after working past the 5 of Langley. Malcolm, would soon begin his search for the race lead, getting to the inside of Manary midway down the backstretch and taking the lead on lap 5 entering turn three. The race’s first caution would fly just a two laps later, when the 83 of Bourque slowed in turn 4 with a cut right front tire, after contact with Manary while dicing for 2nd. With Malcolm and Manary comprising the front row for the restart, the race wouldn’t stay green long when 3rd place #69 Al “Red Rocket” Inglis cut a tire of his own and came to rest between turns 3&4 on the very next lap. The benefactor of this turn of events would be #91 Andre Pepin of Midland, as the 2nd year driver followed Malcolm’s progression on the ensuing restart to dive down inside of Manary in turn 3 to take over runner up positioning, as Malcolm was now holding a 2 car length lead at the front of the pack. The Pepin move would open up the necessary room for the front running duo of #14 “Hurricane” Thayne Hallyburton of Hillsdale and Shepherd to take over 3rd and 4th respectively one lap later, as the 74 of Manary fought hard to find the preferred inside line in front of a gaggle of oncoming cars.

On lap 13, the best battle on track was taking shape for 7th place, as rookie #24 Leonard “The Bandit” Johnston of Bracebridge and #2 “Hometown” Mike Brown of Hawkestone waged war for that position, with Johnston eventually coming out on top. On lap 16, the pressure was intensifying near the front of the field, as Shepherd would make an inside move on Hallyburton for third on exit of turn 2, but the pass would soon be negated when the race’s third caution appeared as #44x Rick Meyer of Orillia, #27 Sam Reckzin of North Bay, and #28 Robin Jongen of Kilworthy collected out of turn 2 just in back of the Shepherd/ Hallyburton dice. Once again the race wouldn’t stay green long on the restart, when #57 Ron “The Dominator” Quesnelle would run up over the left rear tire of 4th place Shepherd, sending Quesnelle for a spin in turn 3 and Shepherd pitside to make the necessary body damage repairs. When the race went green, Malcolm would again burst out and take control of the point, with Pepin and Hallyburton now locked in a door to door battle for 2nd, with Hallyburton taking the spot, as Johnston and Brown were now racing tooth and nail behind that duo. At the midway mark the car on the move was once again the 10 of Shepherd, as the driver would land himself in 7th after the earlier misfortune, flying up along the outer groove past the duo of Jongen and Bourque, and finding the back bumper of Manary and executing an inside pass in turn two to claim that position.

Race leader Malcolm was still looking calm and collected at the front of the field however, running laps just a shade over the 15 second mark, and holding both Hallyburton and Pepin at bay, as the #24 of Johnston marginally began to close the distance to the lead trio. The race’s fifth and final caution would come about on lap 32, when the 27 of Reckzin slowed in turn 4 with damage to the right front. This turn of events set the stage for the staunch Hallyburton Hillsdale Service Center Monte Carlo SS to challenge Malcolm for the race lead, as Hallyburton took over the point after a fierce 2 lap battle while running the outside line. Hallyburton, was setting a torrid pace once in control, opening up a three car length advantage over Malcolm, as Pepin sat comfortably in third, with Shepherd 4th, and Johnston and Jongen locked in an incredible dice for the final top 5 position. Inside of five laps remaining, the 28 of Jongen would work past Johnston with an inside move in turn two, with leader Hallyburton now increasing his lead over a suddenly forming Malcolm/Pepin duel for 2nd in the running order. It was clear this race would belong to Hallyburton over the late stages, as the 2nd year driver would notch his 8th feature win of the season by five car lengths over Malcolm at the checkered. Pepin, would continue his solid season in coming to the stripe in 3rd, while Shepherd and Jongen would complete the top 5.

The 50 lap finale to the evening would be a much more fluid affair, as the race was slowed by just a single caution on lap 39, as the 57 of Quesnelle would take the lead early and not look back in route to claiming his 4th feature win of 2013. The race would begin with the 74 of Manary taking the lead from outside pole position, as Quesnelle would make an early move underneath the 83 of Bourque to notch 2nd just a couple laps in. Quesnelle, who started 5th in a strong 16 car field would soon find control of the point, when on lap three he dove down inside Manary on the exit of turn 4 to power to the front, with an alert duo of Malcolm and Brown following through to claim 2nd and 3rd respectively, as early race leader Manary was now trapped to the high side, losing a couple more positions in the process. Nearing the ten lap mark, the best battle forming on track was the race for fourth, as Pepin and Hallyburton went wheel to wheel for several laps for that position, with Hallyburton eventually taking the spot with a clean inside pass between turns 1&2 on lap 13. Just outside of the top 5 the action hit a fevered pitch, as the trio of Shepherd, Jongen, and Inglis were racing covered by a blanket and looking to advance further in the running order.

On lap 22, the positions began to change near the front of the pack, as Hallyburton would execute a inside move on Malcolm between turns 3&4 to take over 2nd place, with leader Quesnelle now free and clear by a half straightaway at the front of the pack. Quesnelle, was soldering on with laps in the 15.1 second range, as Hallyburton began to close from 2nd, with Malcolm 3rd, and Shepherd making a move to land in 4th, leading the way for Jongen to enter the final top 5 position. All the while the best battle was taking place for 6th in the running order as the 91 of Pepin and 69 of Inglis waged war for that position, with the talented Pepin eventually coming out on top. On lap 36, Hallyburton would get a nose to the inside of Quesnelle for the race lead, as Quesnelle found the necessary traction on the outside to maintain a slim advantage over his fellow competitor. On lap 39, the duo would run up on the lapped car of #44x Rick Meyer, with Quesnelle using the lapped traffic for a pick and pinning Hallyburton to the inside as the trio raced into corner three. Hallyburton, would run up on and inadvertently tap the 44x of Meyer in turn 3, sending both drivers for a wild spin, as an alert display of racing was turned in by the rest of the field who scrambled to avoid the prone cars.

With a 11 lap shootout now in order, Quesnelle would gain the advantage over Malcolm on the restart, as Shepherd and Jongen waged an impressive battle for 3rd, with Shepherd claiming the spot along the lower groove. Also making his presence felt was the 91 of Pepin, who also found the inside line on Jongen to relieve him of fourth place inside of five laps remaining. It was clear that once out front the stout Quesnelle would be tough to catch let alone work your way past, and this proved to hold true to the checkered, as Quesnelle would claim the final point race of the season by 2 car lengths over Malcolm at the line. Shepherd, would cap off a solid point night and take the 2013 title in finishing 3rd, while Pepin and Jongen would comprise the remainder of the fast five.

In the Canestoga Property Maintenance Thunder Car action, the legions of fans on hand were treated to a whale of a finish, as #44 Dave Doucette would claim his 5th feature win of 2013 in his sleek looking G.D Coates Suzuki Chrysler 300 Z.. Doucette, would have to fend off a late race challenge from defending track champ Walt, as the two drivers locked wheels and fenders out of turn 2 on the race’s final lap, drag racing to the checkered in a plume of smoke, with Doucette narrowly taking the win as Walt went spinning towards the infield grass just beyond the flagstand at the race’s conclusion. The two drivers would enter the 40 lap feature separated by just three points in the season long standings, and by virtue of Doucette’s win and Walt’s runner up finish the pair would finish in a dead heat atop the season long standings, with each driver having claimed 5 feature wins which is the first determining tie breaker. Walt, would be crowned the 2013 champ by virtue of more second place feature results, in what turned out to be a battle for the ages the likes of which have not been seen in several seasons at the one third mile tri oval. #00 Darryl St. Onge would finish up the season with a 3rd place finish, clinching 3rd in the standings in the process, while #12 Jim “Polish Prince” Belesky, and #39 Travis “The Enforcer” Hallyburton rounded out the top five.

Heat wins went to Hallyburton with a pair, Doucette, and Walt.

In the St. Onge Recreation Pure Stocks, it was 2010 track champ #15 Will Davies who took the checkered to claim his first feature win of the season in the final point race. The race would get off to a messy start with a series of cautions called before the race was a couple laps old. The worst of the incidents would see a gaggle of cars collect just on the exit of turn two, as 2nd place point man heading into the evening #77 Mike Gettliffe was collected in the affair, sending the TMK Mechanical/TSS Top Shopps Dodge Neon down pit lane. Gettliffe’s main competition #10 Doug Butler was able to escape the melee unscathed, as the two drivers now sat nose to tail for the ensuing restart. When the race resumed it was #88 Jeremy McLean who took the point early, as #11 Adam Misner began to work the low side of #71 Pete Gettliffe, eventually taking runner up positioning, as Davies and #18 Tim Gagne rounded out the top 5 early on. On lap 7, Misner would take over at the front of the pack, getting to the inside of McLean in turn 2, as an alert Davies followed that pass to land himself in second place.

After a lap 8 caution, Misner would move out to a single car length lead over Davies, with defending track champ #9 Charlie Smith also in the mix, as the veteran pilot had a couple looks to Davies’ inside but was unable to make a pass stick. Also back towards the front was the 77 of Gettliffe, as the former Thunder Car pilot was battling nip and tuck with promising upstart #400 Justin Holmes for 4th place, as the top 7 cars were bunched up and racing wheel to wheel inside of ten laps remaining. On lap 22, Gettliffe would continue his progression towards the front, slipping inside Smith between turns 3&4 to take over 2nd, with Butler soon following to drop Smith back to 4th place. At the front of the pack the Misner/Davies battle was heating up, as Davies car appaeared on rails as the 5th year pilot took over the race lead with a high side pass in turn two. The race’s final caution would fly on lap 25, when Holmes looped it on his own accord while racing out of turn 4, as the 3rd year driver had nothing to lose with his push towards the front, having virtually sewed up 3rd place in the season long standings just by taking green. On the restart, Davies would again find the front by a single car length as Gettliffe relieved Misner of 2nd along the inside line, leaving Misner in the clutches of Smith for 3rd, as Bulter frantically searched for racing room behind that pair. On the final lap, just as Butler was beginning to look for a way around the duo of Smith and Misner up high, contact was made with Smith getting into Misner’s left rear quarter panel, forcing him high and halting the progression of Butler on the top groove, as #09 Dean Curry alertly filled the hole to take over 4th place. But this was Davies race to lose and the driver wouldn’t slip up over the duration taking the win by a single car length over the checkered. Gettliffe, would battle back to finish 2nd, thus clinching the 2013 title by a single marker over the hard charging Butler. #9 Charlie Smith would finish up in 3rd, while Curry and Butler rounded out the fast five.

Earlier heat wins went to Gettliffe with a pair, Curry, and Holmes.

PIT NOTES ————— Be sure to join us this coming Saturday afternoon Sept 21st, as its the third installment of the Garry Reynolds Memorial Invitational for all three regular divisions. With several top drivers already confirmed from around the province, race fans will see first hand why this race is commonly referred to as the “crown jewel” of the Barrie Speedway race season, as the track prepares to honor its all time feature race victory leader who succumbed to cancer nearly three years ago. The Wahta Springs Late Models would see #23 Rob Black make his return to the track after a near 3 year hiatus from behind the wheel. The likeable Black would turn in an impressive showing, keeping a clean car under him the entire night, finishing on the lead lap in both feature races, with results just outside the top 10 in a deep and talent laden 16 car field. Black, was preparing his ride for the upcoming 100 lap Reynolds race, which will also feature a 60 lap Thunder Car main, with the Pure Stocks doing battle for a 30 lap feature. Pit gates open at 11 am, with spectator gates commencing business at 2pm, and heat races slated to begin just after 4pm.. THIS WILL SURELY PROVE TO BE A CAN’T MISS EVENT THAT YOU SHOULD MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND!!!!!